How to Change Oki Microline Printer Ribbon

Label makers are another form of impact printers.

Oki Data America is the American subsidiary of the Japan-based printer company. The company develops and sells printers, scanners and fax machines. The Oki Microline is a type of printer called an impact printer. These types of printers use an inked ribbon and repeatedly strike the ribbon to print on the paper. Older typewriters and dot matrix printers are both types of impact printers. Unlike ink jet printers or laser printers, the actual ribbon of the impact printer needs to be changed for a clear print job.

Things You'll Need

• New Microline print cartridge

Instructions

1. Turn the printer off and open the front cover of the printer. Set the paper thickness level to either the highest setting or to the "replace cartridge" setting.

2. Pull the cartridge out of the machine by grabbing it on both sides and pulling it up and out at the same time. Recycle or otherwise dispose of the cartridge.

3. Unpack the new cartridge. Place the ribbon in front of the print head. Line up the pins on either side of the cartridge with their corresponding "U"-shaped grooves in the printer. Push gently but firmly until the cartridge is in place.

4. Place the printer head in front of the ribbon. Turn the knob on the cartridge counter-clockwise to wind the ribbon into place.

5. Close the cover and turn on the machine. Reset the paper thickness lever to the appropriate setting.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not turn the knob clockwise on the cartridge. This will jam the ribbon.

• After the printer has been used, the cartridge can become very hot. Be sure to open the printer and allow the cartridge to cool before changing.

References

• Oki Data: Background
• Oke Printing Solutions: How To Change The Ribbon Cartridge