Abstract: A hand-operated printer is disclosed which is suitable for imprinting ZIP codes on letters. The printer includes a printing lever which supports a printing head. Where only the numerals 0-9 need be printed, the printing head includes a printing wheel having raised type numerals thereon and a reading wheel geared to the printing wheel for selecting the numeral to be printed. Where a variety of characters must be printed, for example, the letters of the alphabet, the printing head includes a printing tape having raised type characters thereon and a reading tape geared to the printing tape for selecting the character to be printed. A clamping member is pivotally connected to one end of the printing lever and includes an aperture located opposite the printing head. The clamping member supports an inked ribbon which extends over the aperture.