A cradle unit for an inkjet printer is provided. The cradle unit has a body complementary to a removable inkjet cartridge of a type having a pagewidth printhead and a refillable ink supply, and a controller for controlling the operation of the printhead to facilitate printing. The body includes a cover assembly for enclosing the removable inkjet cartridge within the body. The cover assembly has at least one port formed therein through which a refill unit is received for refilling the ink supply of the cartridge.