(57) An inker module (25) for a high speed mailing machine is disclosed. The inker module (25) includes an ink pad (36) and an ink chamber (204) in which the ink pad (36) is at least partially disposed to sorb ink therefrom. The ink pad device may also comprise an ink reservoir (41) and/or a pump (40) for pumping ink from the reservoir (41) to the ink chamber (204). The inker module (25) is attachable to a drive (32) for moving the ink pad horizontally and vertically from a horizontal home position to a horizontal inking position in which the ink pad (36) is tamped against a printing device (38) which imprints postage indicia. The ink pump (40) comprises a deformable chamber (230) which is compressed to pump ink from the reservoir (41) to the ink chamber (204). In one embodiment, the ink pad (36) and the ink chamber (204) are provided as a disposable, non-replenishable, non-refillable unit containing a limited amount of ink for limited use. In another embodiment, the ink chamber (204), the ink pad (36), the reservoir (41) and the pump (41) form a unit in which ink is replenished from the reservoir (41) to the ink chamber (204). In that embodiment, the entire unit may be made disposable and may be moved by the drive (32) to the inking position. In still another embodiment, the ink pad (36) and the ink chamber (204) form a disposable, replenishable unit, and the reservoir (41) is replace­able. In that embodiment, only the ink pad (36) and the ink chamber (204) are movable by the drive (32) to the inking position.