https://torontotypewriters.com/products/black-dog-typewriter-ribbon-black-cotton

Holy shit, their typewriter ribbon is expensive! $21.00?!? They are giving you what look like 3-D printed spools with it, so that's where a lot of the value proposition is hiding.

In the typewriter space, the closer you get to the people actually manufacturing typewriter ribbon, the cheaper it gets. As a result you can buy ribbon in bulk for about US$2 per spool versus $10-15. In America, I've had excellent experience with Baco and Fine Line: https://boffosocko.com/research/typewriter-collection/#Typewriter%20Ribbon

Mostly on Amazon and similar platforms you'll find resellers selling for top dollar. If you're going to do this, then the better route is to spend the same (or possibly a bit less) and get your ribbon from a local typewriter shop which helps keep them in business for the eventual day you'll need a more serious repair or help. Try a local shop from the list at https://site.xavier.edu/polt/typewriters/tw-repair.html

If they're close, your local shop will also help teach you how to respool ribbon and thread it properly as well as potentially other tips and tricks.

reply to https://old.reddit.com/r/typewriters/comments/1q095fg/just_bought_a_typewriter_any_tips/

I've never used them. They're probably alright. Looks like they're specializing in engraved spools more than anything. My guess is that they're buying ribbon in bulk from Baco or Fine Line and passing along the cost and adding some additional profit.

Here's typical bulk pricing:

nylon ribbon $0.10 - $0.15/yard silk ribobn $0.33 to $0.40/yard cotton ribbon $0.25/yard If you can get a spool's worth of nylon ribbon (16 yards) for about $1.50 to $3, do you really want to pay $8 or more plus shipping? If I'm going to do this (usually for small quantities of custom colored ribbon), I'm going to buy it from a local shop to help support them and keep them open.

There are obviously lots of options you can choose from, ultimately you'll do what works best/quickest/cheapest for you.