Ink and Ribbon

An integral part of typewriters' ability to print characters is applying ink to the paper itself. Typewriters commonly use ink ribbons to achieve this, although some early machines will use ink rollers or pads. This article will describe ink and ribbon mechanisms, how they work, and what ribbons or ink supplies you need to replace the ones in your typewriter based on model.

Types of Ribbon

Ribbons come in three main materials: silk, cotton, and nylon. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages.