Most Petite typewriters use T4430 or T4431 ribbon (1/4" wide or 6.50mm) which can be found on eBay and other sites. It generally requires original spools.

These were generally carbon/plastic based ribbon.

https://old.reddit.com/r/typewriters/comments/1gu1x3r/olivetti_112_not_found_in_the_twdb/

reply to u/actualwoey at https://old.reddit.com/r/typewriters/comments/1gqhied/recommendations_for_reliable_new_small_spool_1_58/

You could see if a local repair shop is parting out a machine or has spools that would work for you. iirc the Corona Zephyr, Skyriter, and the later versions of the Corsair all used that smaller spool size, usually described as 1 5/8" or 1 2/3". https://site.xavier.edu/polt/typewriters/tw-repair.html Once you've got the correct sized spools, you can wind your Amazon ribbon onto them, but you'll likely have to trim it down to fit. (2" spools usually have 16 yards of ribbon while the 1 5/8" accommodate about 12 yards.)

If you can't come up with original metal spools to respool your 1/2" ribbon onto, you can try https://www.ribbonsunlimited.com/category-s/12779.htm which will sell you both in one go.

Some other ribbon options: https://site.xavier.edu/polt/typewriters/tw-faq.html#q1. I've had good luck buying bulk ribbon from both Baco Ribbon and Fine Line.

I've heard some have successfully re-juvenated old ribbon by spraying it (unspooled into a box) with WD-40 or glycerine to re-wet it and then respooling it.

Smith Corona Classic Galaxie Typewriter Ribbon Lift Install Arm Adjustment Squeeze Style by [[Phoenix Typewriter]]

Typewriter Ribbon varieties Offered by Underwood in 1956<br /> https://munk.org/typecast/2020/08/23/typewriter-ribbon-varieties-offered-by-underwood-in-1956/

Pretty much all manual typewriters use 1/2" (12.7mm) wide ribbon which is most of what you're probably going to find in the marketplace.

The thing that changes from machine to machine is is the potentially proprietary spools and those are usually specific to how the ribbion auto switch is effectuated. Most ribbon comes with small grommets about 10-12 inches from the ends as many machines need this to trigger the switch over. If the plastic spools you purchase don't work with your particular machine you simply spend a minute or two to hand wind it onto your existing original (metal) spools and go from there.

There are lots of videos on YouTube showing how to hand wind ribbon onto a machine. Sarah has a pretty reasonable one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=up412FjTEkw

Even Tom Hanks has a ribbon changing video... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GBbsNKaVAB0

Incidentally, if your seller specifies them, the Underwoods take Group 9 (GR9) spools. Likely not helpful or illustrative for you, but certainly interesting from a historical perspective, Ted Munk has a catalog of Typewriter Ribbon varieties Offered by Underwood in 1956: https://munk.org/typecast/2020/08/23/typewriter-ribbon-varieties-offered-by-underwood-in-1956/

reply to u/prettiestGOAT at https://old.reddit.com/r/typewriters/comments/1g8z0fm/can_anyone_help_id_this_underwood_typewriter_and/

When doing type alignment, Duane Jensen was taught to use an old/used ribbon instead of a new, wet/dark ribbon for better performance in testing. New ribbons don't show the differences as well.

He's noticed that ribbon from Around the Office are dreadful.

A Primer on Typewriter Ribbons & Spools by [[Damon DiMarco]]

Typewriter ribbon is 1/2" wide (12.7mm) which has been standardized as DIN2103.

The DIN 32755 spool, aka a Universal spool, or a Group 1 spool.

Olivetti typewriters use Group 4 spools.

https://new.reddit.com/r/typewriters/comments/1f29hxm/how_many_pages_on_average_does_a_nylon_ink_ribbon/

How long will a typewriter ribbon last?

Can it be calculated? <br /> How many letters per spool at 16 yards?

Examples over time like https://new.reddit.com/r/typewriters/comments/rx9rmd/les_stewart_has_the_record_for_typing_1_to_1m_it/

Did it work prior to replacing the ribbon? If yes, then perhaps remove the ribbon and replace again. See page 19 of the manual here: https://site.xavier.edu/polt/typewriters/RoyalKMM.pdf

YouTube also has tutorials for how to thread these. (Also search for the No. 10, KH, KHM, HH, Empress, FP, etc. which also used the same general ribbon spools and set up if you can't find a KHM.) I can*t tell 100% from the photo, but the ribbon looks like it's spooling on clockwise on the right (and vice-versa for the left) and you want it the other way.

Is it not advancing regardless of which direction you have the ribbon going? Usually just one side is not working. You can use this fact to compare the typewriter bilaterally. Watch what's going on with the side that does work and compare it with the side the doesn't. What's wrong on the non-working side?

Often times the spindle on one or both sides is frozen up with dried up grease, oil, dirt, or dust. A small quirt of mineral spirits or lacquer thinner (or other degreaser) will free it up. (Here we use the mantra, a typewriter isn't really "broken" unless it's clean and broken.) See: https://boffosocko.com/2024/08/09/on-colloquial-advice-for-degreasing-cleaning-and-oiling-manual-typewriters/

reply to u/UltimateAiden98 at https://old.reddit.com/r/typewriters/comments/1f0nzt8/my_royal_kmm_ribbon_is_t_advancing_what_should_i/

https://www.mrmrsvintagetypewriters.com/en-us/blogs/news/which-typewriter-ribbon-do-i-need-for-my-typewriter

Lists of the primary spool types and typewriters which fit them.

Chances are that you've got your original metal spools, and if so, definitely keep them. You can make a quick measurement, but I'm guessing you're going to want 1/2" or 13mm wide universal ribbon.

You can buy this in many places and in various color combinations (if you have a bichrome machine—look for a black/white/red switch which can usually be found on the front of your machine) for just a few dollars for 16 yards or about 14 meters to fill up a 2 inch diameter spool. Often it will come on cheap universal plastic spools which you can use to wind onto your own original metal spools if necessary.

Some machines often make use of proprietary mechanisms or geometry on their spools to effectuate the auto-reverse mechanism of the machine (though you'd have to check on your particular unit). Many machines after the 40s used small grommets on the ribbon itself to trigger the auto-reverse mechanism. If yours doesn't, you can trim these off with scissors as you spool the ribbon onto your machine if you're worried they'll get in the way.

Some smaller ultra-portables can and often do use smaller diameter spools which only fit 12 yards of ribbon, but you can always cut your ribbon down from bigger spools if necessary.

A few good sources of ribbon can be found at https://site.xavier.edu/polt/typewriters/tw-faq.html#q1.

If you don't have the original spools and the cheap plastic universal ones don't work on yours, you can find replacements via https://www.ribbonsunlimited.com/ or by calling around to repair shops which may have extras https://site.xavier.edu/polt/typewriters/tw-manuals.html

Incidentally, having your typewriter make and model as well as serial number can be helpful. You can often identify the model via https://typewriterdatabase.com/ if it's not on your typewriter directly. I'm guessing from the 2Y5852 that you've got a Good Companion No. 2 circa 1942, but you can track that down by looking at the database and individual galleries with photos.

If you don't have one already, you might find a manual for your machine (or one very similar to it) at https://site.xavier.edu/polt/typewriters/tw-manuals.html

reply to u/Fancy_Temporary_5902 at https://new.reddit.com/r/typewriters/comments/1eg176q/im_trying_to_id_a_typewriter_of_my_dads_as_it/

Smith Corona Typewriter Ribbon Vibrator Bind, Lift Sticking Up, Forming/Adjusting Process by [[Phoenix Typewriter]]

Triumph! by [[Joe Van Cleave]]

Royal HH Typewriter Ribbon Spindle Shaft Frozen, Analysis and Repair Procedure by [[Phoenix Typewriter]]

Troubleshooting a frozen spindle. Discovered that the spindle was frozen internally. Flushed with lacquer thinner and then blown out.

worn-out 1950s Royal HH typewriter, lubricating mechanism and replace ribbon by Rinoa's Auspicious Travails

very meh... wouldn't recommend for over-reliance on sewing machine oil to get a typewriter "working" again. The ribbon swap part wasn't bad.

Royal KMM FPE HH KH 10 T1 B64 Typewriter Ribbon Install Rewind Respool Replace by [[Phoenix Typewriter]]

The spools for the standard Royal typewriters (KMM, FPE, HH, KH, etc) have a custom metal mechanism for their auto-reverse. The spools are known as the T1 (which is the same as General Ribbon part # T1-77B , T1-77BR, and Nu-Kote B64.) If winding on universal ribbon onto them, remove the eyelette which isn't needed and may interfere with the auto reverse.

The function of the mechanism is fairly similar to that of the Remington, but the mechanism is on the spool itself rather than on the spindle.

If necessary, Ribbons Unlimited carries these metal spools: https://www.ribbonsunlimited.com/6N064-Royal-Standard-Electric-Ribbon-64-p/6n064.htm

LD Ribbon (T677BR, compatible with Olympia) are good ribbons Joe Van Cleave recommends as being inexpensive for about a $1 per spool from Amazon. Although they're DIN spools compatible with Olympia machines, he's used them in his Smith-Corona Galaxie 12. [timestamp 20:37}(https://youtu.be/fwk1jTH5bLA?si=QePpvzF_o80Yq6T3&t=1237)

1958 Olympia SM3 Final Type Test -Part6: COMPLETE Olympia SM3 service and set up guide. by [[The HotRod Typewriter Co.]]

Gerren prefers cotton ribbons in pica machines because the larger typeface can better handle the ink.

Part 4: COMPLETE Olympia SM3 Service and Repair Series: STICKY RIBBON LIFTER by [[The HotRod Typewriter Co.]]

The universal bar lifts the ribbon vibrator.

Adjustment points to adjust the ribbon lift heights for issues with red/black on bichrome use.

Maximum travel of the universal bar adjustment screws on crossbar that attaches to springs. timestamp 5:29

Screws at the ends of the cross bar which are attached to the key springs can be adjusted slightly to provide for heavier or lighter touch control. Timestamp 6:07

Type Shop, EP. 20: Ribbon Colors by [[Typewriter Chicago]]

blue/pink is an excellent color combination as is the blue/green. blue/purple isn't as strong a differentiated color combination as one might hope.

Typewriter Chicago used to carry orange, but doesn't any longer. Maybe again in the future?

http://mytypewriter.com/eProducts/Ribbon_List_102806.pdf

A somewhat handy chart of typewriter ribbons by make and model. Will require some work to puzzle out the standards however.

It can be useful to take some mineral spirits, naphtha, or paint thinner and a tooth brush (or, even better, a brass bristle brush) to your typeface every now and then to clean the ink, dirt, paper, bits of ribbon, dust, etc. out of it. Doing it after changing ribbon is always a good idea. If you're really hard pressed, nail polish remover (acetone) or rubbing alcohol and a cotton ball along with a small pin tip for the loops of letters like 'a', 'o', 'p', 'g', etc. can be used.

How well (or not) your typewriter works from a print perspective can also change with the type of paper you're using, what your ribbon is made out of (usually nylon, silk, or cotton), how much ink it's got in it and how old/worn it may be. A good backing sheet behind your typing paper can also be helpful.

reply to u/kirrachristine at https://www.reddit.com/r/typewriters/comments/1dtuksy/one_letter_weirdly_thicksmudged/ RE: one letter weirdly thick/smudged

Tom Hanks Changes the Ribbon on a Typewriter - Secret Talent Theatre - Vanity Fair

Found via https://site.xavier.edu/polt/typewriters/tw-faq.html#q1

Fine Line Ribbon in Ennis, TX, (972) 878-8683,

Ruben Flores likes them for his bulk ribbon

Royal Model "O" Typewriter Adjust Ribbon Lift for each Type Bar Lever, Works on Quite Deluxe too. by [[Phoenix Typewriter]]

Forming individual type bars, particularly for capital letters to get the tops to print evenly when they're more faint than other similar typefaces.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJtHauPh529XYHI5QNj5w9PUdi89pOXsS

Typewriter 101

https://tsesaraheverett3.wixsite.com/justmytypewriter/team-4

https://amzn.to/3ywkwm1

Speedy Inks with typewriter ribbon with DIN spools for European typewriter spools (eg: Adler, Olympia, Adler, Facit, etc.).

12 pack for about $10.

Recommended by Joe Van Cleave

Typewriter Video Series Episode 244: Ribbon Winder by [[Joe Van Cleave]]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/266277055176

Typewritermuse's "Speedy Spooler"

Thank the Ribbons! by [[Daniel Marleau]]

via https://site.xavier.edu/polt/typewriters/tw-faq.html

Baco Ribbons by [[Joe Van Cleave]]

Most Smith-Coronas in the 40s and 50s have similar ribbon set ups. Hopefully this photo and description will help:

(Alt Text) Smith-Corona typewriter ribbon thread sample. A view into the type basket with the hood of the typewriter raised showing the ribbon coming out of a spool on the left, through a black ribbon guide (which actuates the autoswitch when the eyelet at the end of a spool gets stuck between it and the spool) next to the spool cup, and then into the two metal guides of the ribbon vibrator on either side of the the typing point. A silver pen's tip is pointing to the ribbon guide next to the spool cup at about the point where an eyelet clipped onto the middle of the end of a length of a ribbon would trip the ribbon auto switch.

If your ribbon auto-switch isn't working one can usually switch the direction manually with the ribbon reverse lever usually found on the front left side of most machines.

To speed up changing the ribbon on many machines, it can often help to switch the color selector to the red setting and then simultaneously press the G and H keys gently so that they're stuck together almost at the typing point which will raise the ribbon vibrator and make accessing the slots for threading the ribbon easier. Once the ribbon is installed, release the G and H typebars and select the correct color setting for the portion of the ribbon you want to use.

How to Make Your Own Typewriter Ribbon: Rainbow Effect

Glycerine mixed with ink may help keep typewriter ribbons from drying out.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTFM54VKKc4<br /> How To: Replace a Ribbon on Remington Quiet-Riter Typewriter by Typewriter Minutes

https://www.ribbonsunlimited.com/Inked-Nylon-Typewriter-Ribbon-Color-Swatches-s/12742.htm

https://www.ribbonsunlimited.com/1-2-Replacement-Uninked-Typewriter-Ribbon-s/12848.htm

Uninked typewriter ribbon in silk, nylon, and cotton.

Read DIY Coloured Ribbon

https://farbbanddosen.typewriters.ch/index.php?title=Home

Typewriters had switches to allow the typewriter to use different portions of the typewriter ribbon. Some were utilized to differentiate between colors on multi-colored ribbons (typically between black and red) while others allowed the use of the top or bottom of a ribbon to get more use (economy) out of them. Many also made the ribbon inoperative so that the type struck directly against a sheet to allow for stencil cutting.

p. 12

https://www.ribbonsunlimited.com/

The replacement typewriter ribbon for my Smith-Corona Clipper is 1/2" nylon ribbon with eyelets on 2" diameter spools.

https://www.ribbonsunlimited.com/category-s/5415.htm

Some cheap typewriter ribbon spools don't have grommets on them to force auto-reverse of the spool. Without grommets, some machines may sense ribbon tension for reversal, otherwise one needs to switch direction manually.

There are grommet installation tools that one can use, but this often requires getting one's hands dirty to install them.

Ribbons Unlimited has a good reputation in the r/typewriters community for providing good sales and service.

Dr Ellie Murray. (2021, February 23). A thing I feel is weird about how we are all reacting to this pandemic: Mourning is still so individual & private. It surprises me there aren’t campaigns for armbands, ribbons, wreaths on doors, or some sort of flag in the window to say “a loved one was lost to COVID here”. [Tweet]. @EpiEllie. https://twitter.com/EpiEllie/status/1364033220904427524