RE-INKING RIBBONS

     There are two types of ribbons: carbon and fabric. A carbon
     ribbon--those on a thin plastic tape--make good, sharp print but
     they cannot be reused. These are better kept for very special
     printouts, using fabric ribbons for normal printing.

     Fabric ribbons can be reused many times. First, however, consider
     that all fabric ribbons are not created equal. Some are made of a
     coarser fabric than others. Of course, the finer fabric produces
     a cleaner, sharper print.

     Discarding a well-used ribbon is bad enough but how do you feel
     when you buy a ribbon that starts out dim because it has grown
     old on the dealer's shelf?

     Fabric ribbons do not fade out because they are out of ink. They
     fade because they DRY OUT. A very dim ribbon has plenty of ink
     left, it just can't get to your paper. This means that you can
     "re-ink" a ribbon without using ink.

     Your first task is to open up the ribbon holder, most of which
     are made of two pieces of plastic with the ribbon wound or folded
     inside. Some are quite easy to open because they are held
     together by two or more clips.

     Other cartridges are more difficult because they have been
     heat-welded together. In such cases you will have to cut them
     open with a razor-knife along the welded seam. BE EXTREMELY
     CAREFUL--A SLIP COULD CUT OFF A FINGER.

     When you have the entire edge of the folded or wound ribbon
     exposed, you are ready to "moisten" it. Spray the edge of the
     ribbon with WD-40 to moisten it (and lubricate the pins in the
     printhead).

     Do not use too much lubricant; too little is better than too
     much. A couple of quick passes of the spray will do the trick.
     Use a tissue to wipe away the spray that has landed on the
     plastic holder. Then put the top back on the holder/cartridge and
     fasten it with the original clips or with tape.

     The ribbon is not yet ready to use. All the spray is on one edge
     of the ribbon so put it aside for at least 24 hours to let it
     spread through the fabric. You may find it best to have two
     ribbons--one can be "soaking" while you are using the other.

     Watch that the ribbon is not reused so much that it gets frayed.
     At the first sign of fraying, replace the ribbon. A ribbon of
     decent quality can be re-inked many times before the original ink
     is exhausted.

     Each of these re-inkings can save you 12 bucks or more depending
     on the cost of your particular ribbons.