TYPEWRITER CARE GUIDE
How to Change a Typewriter Ribbon: A Beginner’s Step-by-Step Guide
Learn how to remove an old ribbon, fit a replacement and check that it feeds properly—without forcing delicate parts.
Your typewriter is working, but the letters are becoming pale. You have a replacement ribbon ready, yet lifting the cover reveals two spools, several small guides and a moving metal holder in the middle. Where does the ribbon go?
Changing a ribbon is usually a manageable beginner task on a manual typewriter. The important detail is that the exact threading path varies by model. Use this guide to understand the process, and use your machine’s instruction manual or a clear photograph of its original ribbon path for the precise route.
Before you start: make sure you have the right ribbon
Many manual typewriters use fabric ribbon about 12.7 mm (½ inch) wide, but spool fittings differ. Some electric and electronic typewriters require a cartridge or a different ribbon system. Choose a replacement listed for your exact make and model rather than relying on a generic ribbon label.
Identify the make and model first. Use InkSmart’s homepage model search to find a listed ribbon for your machine, or browse Brother typewriter models if you own a Brother. If you cannot identify the model, contact InkSmart with photographs of the machine and its original spools before choosing a replacement.
Gather your replacement ribbon, a sheet of paper, a phone for photographs and, if you prefer, disposable gloves to avoid ink stains. Work on a clear, well-lit table.
Step 1: Photograph the old ribbon before removing it
Open the ribbon cover as directed in your manual. Before touching the ribbon, take one photo showing both spools and another close-up of the ribbon passing through the middle of the machine.
These photos are your best reference if you forget the route. Notice whether the ribbon leaves each spool from the front or back, which small guides it passes through, and how it sits in the central holder.
If the ribbon has already fallen out or was fitted incorrectly, do not copy the faulty route. Find the instructions for your exact model instead.
Step 2: Identify the ribbon vibrator and side guides
The ribbon vibrator (also called the ribbon carrier or ribbon lifter) is the small metal part near the printing point. On many manual machines it lifts the inked ribbon into position when you strike a key, then lowers it again.
The ribbon generally travels from one spool, through its nearby guide, across the vibrator, through the opposite guide and onto the other spool. But the small retaining tabs and the front-versus-back spool route are model-specific.
Some machines also have ribbon-reversing forks near the spools. These may interact with metal eyelets near the ribbon ends. Follow the exact guide arrangement shown in your manual. On some machines, metal eyelets near the ribbon ends engage reversing forks; others use a manual reverse lever or an automatic mechanism responding to ribbon tension. Do not assume your machine needs eyelets or uses the same reversing system as another model.
Step 3: Remove the old ribbon and spools
Following the manual, gently release the ribbon from the vibrator and side guides. Lift the spools off their posts without bending the posts or pulling against a retaining clip. If a spool is held by a nut or clip, remove it only as instructed for your machine.
Place the old spools and any retaining clips somewhere safe. Do not throw away original metal or unusual spools. You may need to reuse them if the replacement plastic spools do not fit.
If the machine uses a cartridge, follow its cartridge-replacement instructions rather than these twin-spool steps.
Step 4: Check the new spools and ribbon orientation
Compare the new spool centres, diameter and mounting arrangement with the originals. The spools should sit correctly on their posts without being forced.
For a black-and-red ribbon, many two-colour machines require black above red, but check the manual and colour selector. Do not assume all machines use the same orientation.
Also check which side of each spool the ribbon must unwind from. A common mistake is routing the ribbon from the wrong side: one spool may let ribbon out while the driven spool fails to collect it.
Step 5: Fit the spools and thread the ribbon
- Place the replacement spools on their posts in the orientation specified for your model.
- Guide the ribbon through the side guide on the supply-spool side.
- Thread the ribbon through the central vibrator exactly as the model’s diagram shows, keeping it flat rather than folded.
- Pass it through the opposite side guide and any required reversing fork.
- Check that both spool ends are attached securely and that the ribbon is not twisted between the spools.
Some manuals show the ribbon passing behind central tabs and in front of outer tabs; others use different clips. The illustrations for your model take priority over a general description.
Step 6: Take up slack—gently
With the ribbon correctly threaded, turn the appropriate take-up spool by hand only as the manual allows, just enough to remove loose loops. The ribbon should travel freely and remain flat through the guides. Do not pull it drum-tight or force a spool that resists turning.
If a replacement spool has a centre opening that is too large or too small for the spindle, do not force it or try an improvised spacer. If the ribbon material is confirmed compatible, rewinding it onto the original metal or proprietary spools may be possible. Keep any original clips and check the model’s ribbon-end and reversal requirements. Follow model-specific guidance or ask for help before transferring the ribbon.
Step 7: Test the ribbon with a short line
Close the cover if required for normal operation, insert a sheet of paper and select black typing rather than a stencil or no-ribbon setting, if your machine has one. Type a short line such as “THE QUICK BROWN FOX 12345”.
Look for clear letters and a ribbon that advances a little as you type. On many machines only the take-up spool is actively driven; the other spool turns as ribbon is pulled off it. You should not expect both spools to be powered at once.
If the typewriter prints correctly, try a few more lines. You do not need to type until the end of the ribbon just to test the reversing system.
What if the ribbon does not work?
The ribbon is loose or one spool is not taking it up
Stop typing and recheck the path through the side guides, spool orientation and attachment to the take-up spool. On Reddit’s r/typewriters, beginners have described ribbons unwinding without being collected; incorrect threading is one possible cause. If the correct path still does not feed, the machine may need inspection rather than more force.
The ribbon folds, twists or jumps out
Look closely at the central vibrator. A ribbon that misses one retaining tab can bunch up or slip out while typing. Compare your installation with the manual and the photographs you took. Avoid bending the vibrator to make the ribbon fit.
The keys strike but the letters are faint or incomplete
Check that the ribbon is threaded across the printing point, the colour selector is not on stencil/no-ribbon, and the ribbon advances. A dry ribbon is another possibility, but faint printing does not automatically mean the replacement ribbon is defective.
The ribbon reaches the end and stops
Some machines reverse automatically when a ribbon eyelet engages a reversing fork; others use a manual reversing lever or an automatic tension-operated mechanism. Check your model’s manual to identify its system. Never yank an eyelet through a narrow guide or vibrator, and never force a reversing lever.
Frequently asked questions
Can I keep my original typewriter spools?
Yes—and it is wise to keep them. Some older machines have spool fittings that replacement spools do not match. Reusing the originals can be the correct approach when the new ribbon material itself is suitable.
How often should I change the ribbon?
There is no fixed schedule for occasional home typing. Replace it when the print stays weak after you have checked threading, feed and the colour selector, or when the ribbon is damaged.
Will the same instructions work on an electronic typewriter?
Not necessarily. Electronic models may use cartridges or film ribbons with a completely different replacement process. Identify the exact model and follow its instructions.
What if the new spool wobbles or does not turn?
Stop and compare the new spool’s centre opening, drive fitting and seating with the original. A loose spool may not engage the drive, while a tight one may not fit the spindle. Do not force it or add a homemade adapter. If the ribbon material is suitable, ask about transferring it onto the original spool or obtaining the correct replacement.
Can I use correction tape or a carbon-film ribbon instead of fabric ribbon?
No—not unless your particular typewriter is designed for that ribbon system. Traditional fabric-ribbon machines generally cannot substitute correction tape or carbon-film cartridges for an inked fabric ribbon. Check the machine’s model and manufacturer instructions before buying a different ribbon type.
Need help choosing or fitting a ribbon?
Changing a typewriter ribbon is often straightforward once you can see the correct path. The safest approach is to photograph the original installation, retain unusual spools, and test the new ribbon gently.
Not sure what fits your typewriter? Visit InkSmart’s contact page and send the make, model and a top-view photo with the spools exposed. That gives the team a better starting point for identifying the correct replacement.