Molly Ayala
The typewriter ribbon is the part of the typewriter that transfers ink from the ribbon onto the paper. Over time, the ink ribbon can become worn or dry, making it difficult to write legibly. Replacing the ink ribbon is a simple process that can be done in just a few minutes, and it's something that should be done every few months, depending on usage. Before removing the old ribbon, note how it is threaded through the ribbon vibrator. Then, carefully remove the ribbon by slipping it out of the ribbon guides on either side of the spools and lifting off both spools. Insert the new ribbon spools, ensuring the black ink is above the red ink, and feed the ribbon into the appropriate slots and through the ribbon carrier. Finally, test the typewriter by loading a piece of paper and typing a few sentences to ensure the text looks correct.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of ribbon | 2-spool ink ribbon or one-time film cassette ribbon |
| Replacing the ribbon | Remove the old ribbon, insert the new ribbon, and thread it through the ribbon vibrator/carrier |
| Ribbon orientation | Black ink above red ink |
| Testing | Roll a piece of paper into the typewriter and type a few sentences to check for smudges, blotches, or smearing |
| Ribbon maintenance | Replace the ribbon regularly, re-ink the ribbon, or use WD-40 to revitalise dried ink |
| Additional tools | Latex gloves and a sewing pin |
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What You'll Learn
Removing the old ribbon
The first step to replacing the ribbon on your electric typewriter is to remove the old ribbon. This process will vary depending on the make and model of your typewriter, so it is important to be careful and pay attention to the specific design of your machine.
If your typewriter has a cover, you will first need to remove it. Open the hinged cover by gently but firmly pulling it up from the inside. Make sure that the carriage release lever is out of the way before you attempt to open the cover, as failing to do so may damage your typewriter.
Next, you will need to unlock any mechanisms holding the spools in place. Then, carefully remove the ribbon spools from the spool holders on the typewriter. Be sure to note how the ribbon is threaded through the ribbon carrier or vibrator (the part where the ribbon is threaded through the area where the typeheads strike the paper) so that you can thread the new ribbon back in later.
Now, you can remove the ribbon itself. Slip the ribbon out of the ribbon guides on either side of the spools and lift off both spools. Be gentle so as not to damage any of the components.
Once the old ribbon has been removed, you can move on to inserting the new ribbon.
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Orienting the new ribbon
First, open the ribbon gate, which is the small piece of metal that holds the ribbon against the paper. Then, carefully lift the old ribbon out of the typewriter. There is no one way to do this as it depends on the model of your typewriter, but usually, you will need to remove the cover, unlock any mechanisms holding the spools in place, and gently pull the ribbon spools off. Note the way the ribbon is threaded through the ribbon vibrator, a rectangular piece of metal that holds the ribbon close to the paper.
Now, you are ready to install the new ribbon. Place the spools onto the holders, ensuring the black ink is above the red ink, and slip the ribbon into the ribbon guides, feeding it through the small guides on the sides of the spools and through the ribbon carrier. Thread the ribbon through the ribbon vibrator, holding the ribbon between the thumb and first finger of each hand, and slipping the ribbon in behind the two tiny fingers in the middle of the guide at the top. You may find it helpful to put the ribbon temporarily behind the vibrator completely before threading it into the slots.
Finally, test your typewriter by loading a piece of paper and typing a few sentences. Check that the ribbon spools are advancing, taking in ribbon on one side and giving off ribbon on the other. If the ribbon spools aren't taking in ribbon as they should, you may have a mechanical problem, or the ribbon spools may need to be installed on the opposite sides. Certain typewriters will take ribbon either clockwise or counter-clockwise, so this is something to consider.
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Placing the new ribbon spools
To place the new ribbon spools, first ensure that the ribbon is oriented with the black line of ink above the red ink. Lay one of the spools on top of the typebars and hold the other spool in your hand. Push the clip that lies on the ribbon out and slide the spool's central hole onto the driver pin. Release the clip and confirm that it falls on the ribbon without hitting the spool's plastic or metal parts. Grab the ribbon and place it in between the guides. Repeat these steps with the other spool.
Next, thread the ribbon through the ribbon vibrator. Depress the shift lock key, put the ribbon colour selector on red if your typewriter has one, and jam two typebars so the ribbon vibrator stays in the uppermost position. Holding the ribbon between the thumb and first finger of each hand, slip the ribbon in behind the two tiny fingers in the middle of the guide at the top. It may be helpful to put the ribbon temporarily behind the vibrator completely and then thread it into the slots.
Once the ribbon is threaded, place the spools onto the spool holders and slip the ribbon into the ribbon guides. Lock any mechanisms into place and replace the cover, if needed. Before replacing the cover, it may be helpful to wash your hands, as your fingertips are likely covered in ink.
Finally, roll a piece of paper into the typewriter and test it out. Check that the ribbon spools are advancing, taking in ribbon on one side and giving off ribbon on the other. If the ribbon spools aren't taking in ribbon as they should, you may have a mechanical problem, or you may need to install the ribbon spools on the opposite sides. Certain typewriters will take ribbon either clockwise or counter-clockwise, so this is something to consider.
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Threading the ribbon through the vibrator
Once the ribbon is threaded, roll a piece of paper into the typewriter and test it out. Wash your hands first, as your fingertips are likely covered in ink. Check that the ribbon spools are advancing, taking in ribbon on one side, and giving off ribbon on the other. If the ribbon spools aren't taking in ribbon as they should, you may have a mechanical problem, or the ribbon spools may need to be installed on the opposite sides. Certain typewriters will take ribbon either clockwise or counter-clockwise, so this is something to consider.
If the characters are printing as desired, you can shut the covers and release the shift lock and the red on the ribbon colour selector.
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Testing the new ribbon
Now that you've installed your new typewriter ribbon, it's time to test it out. But before you do, make sure you wash your hands—your fingertips are likely covered in ink, and you don't want to stain your typewriter.
First, load a piece of paper into your typewriter. Then, type a few sentences to see how the text looks. Don't be alarmed if the initial output is smudged or "blurry"; this is normal. After a bit of use, you should start getting clear, readable text.
As you type, pay attention to the ribbon spools. They should be advancing, taking in ribbon on one side and giving off ribbon on the other. If the ribbon spools aren't advancing properly, you may have a mechanical problem, or the ribbon spools may need to be installed on the opposite sides. Keep in mind that certain typewriters will take ribbon either clockwise or counter-clockwise, so you may need to adjust the ribbon's orientation.
If the characters are printing as desired, you can close any covers or place them back on. Release the shift lock and the red on the ribbon colour selector if you haven't already done so during testing. And that's it! You've successfully installed and tested your new typewriter ribbon.
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Frequently asked questions
Removing the ribbon depends on the model of your typewriter. Typically, you would first remove the cover, unlock any mechanisms holding the spools in place, and gently pull the ribbon spools off. Then, remove the ribbon from the ribbon vibrator—a rectangular piece of metal that holds the ribbon close to the paper.
First, place the new ribbon spools onto the holders, ensuring the black ink is above the red ink. Slip the ribbon into the ribbon guides and feed it through the small guides on the sides of the spools and through the ribbon carrier. Then, flick the key hammers back down and disengage the shift lock key.
After installing a new ribbon, roll a piece of paper into the typewriter and test it out. Check that the ribbon spools are advancing, taking in ribbon on one side and giving off ribbon on the other. If the ribbon spools aren't working as they should, you may have a mechanical problem or need to install the ribbon spools on the opposite sides.
You can search online for compatible typewriter ribbons on websites like eBay and Amazon. You can also check your local shops that sell paper supplies and ephemera.
