A feature allows for removing an ink stick from an ink feed channel, through the keyed opening for that shape of ink stick. In a keyed key plate opening, a clearance area between the key plate opening and the outer perimeter of the ink stick provides access through which a removal tool can be inserted alongside an ink stick in the channel. In an example, the clearance area is provided by an outwardly directed section of the perimeter of the key plate opening. In a particular implementation, the edge key plate opening is chamfered across the thickness of the key plate, except for a small portion of the perimeter of the key plate opening, which has a straight edge. The end of the removal tool has a surface to engage the ink stick, so that pressing the removal tool against the ink stick, and drawing the removal tool back through the clearance area pulls the ink stick through the key plate opening.