🚀 go-pugleaf

	Most fabric printer ribbons which lose contrast still have enough
ink for additional life with decent printing.  The problem is that the ink
is depleted from the active striking area of the ribbon, while the rest of
the ribbon still contains a copious amount of ink.  If the remaining ink on
the ribbon could be "redistributed" evenly over its surface to restore the
depleted areas, then additional printing life can be obtained.
	There are some aerosol sprays on the market which perform this
function by acting as a solvent for the ink, causing it to evenly spread
over the ribbon surface.
	These sprays are absurdly overpriced.  All one needs is some 95%
isopropyl alcohol, which can readily be obtained from drugstores, hardware
stores, etc.  Do not use rubbing alcohol, however.
	The easiest (and least messy) ribbon to rejuvenate is one which is
contained in a cartridge with an inking roller.  Carefully open the ribbon
cartridge, and saturate the roller with isopropyl alcohol using a medicine
dropper.  Some ribbon cartridges have an inspection hole over the inking
roller which makes this task very easy.  Run the ribbon through the cartridge
several times to distribute the alcohol.  This is best done with the cartridge
removed from the printer; _cautious_ use of a variable speed electric drill to
turn the ribbon roller(s) will substantially speed up this process.
	Ribbons on spools can be also be rejuvenated, although this is
messier.  A simple approach is to immerse the entire ribbon (spools and all)
in isopropyl alcohol for about one minute; let the entire ribbon dry for
several hours before using.  The alcohol can be used to clean any ink which
drips on the outside of the spools.
	I have used the above technique for a number of years with good
results.  Some caveats:

1.	This is not intended to eliminate buying new ribbons!  I use it
	primarily as an emergency measure when I am out of replacement
	ribbons, or when replacement ribbons are  "discovered" to be
	partially dried out.  (Special flame to AT&T Teletype Corp. for
	failing to adequately seal replacement ribbons!)

2.	Don't do this inside the printer, or install a ribbon which is
	still dripping!

3.	Make certain that the ribbon is reasonably dry before attempting
	to print with it; a wet ribbon may tear or deform under impact.

	Isopropyl alcohol seems to work on every fabric ribbon ink that
I have tried.

<>  Larry Lippman @ Recognition Research Corp., Clarence, New York
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