a supporting cover for a porous rubber ink roll used , for example , on a printing machine . the cover is formed of first and second sections or halves which are joined together by an integrally - formed hinge which enables the cover to be formed of a one - piece construction from polypropylene plastic . the cover incorporates locking features to prevent the cover from being readily opened when the ink roll is stored and shipped therein . each of the halves of the cover has a portion which is removed therefrom to enable the ink roll to be exposed from the cover when the ink roll and cover are installed on a utilization device such as a printing machine . the cover has projections on a side thereof which coact with the printer to prevent the cover from being rotated while it is installed on the printer .