Adaptive ink supply for an ink-jet printer

An adaptive ink supply (10) for an ink-jet printer is provided with the receptacle (12) mountable to an ink-jet printer. The receptacle has four ink chambers (18) for receiving ink cartridges (14) having flexible ink reservoirs (32) supported by a rigid frame (28). The receptacle chambers have spring-loaded pressure plates (22) on either side of the chamber for pressurizing ink cartridges inserted therein. The ink cartridges (14) are coupled to a fluid outlet (46) which is normally closed to prevent the flow of ink. When the ink cartridge is inserted into a receptacle (12) mounted to a printer, the fluid outlet establishes a fluid connection between the ink cartridge and the printer. The pressure plates exert a force against the ink cartridge causing ink to flow from the cartridge and to the printer.