Abstract: A novel media release mechanism is provided for a printer and includes a housing, at least one wedge member mounted on the housing, a blade member mounted on each wedge member, and a knob which can be rotated to allow movement between each blade and wedge members so as to allow each blade member to move radially inwardly into the housing. When blade members are moved inwardly, a space is formed between media wound thereon and the blade members to allow a user to easily remove the wound media from the housing and blade members. Each wedge member has a plurality of angled wedge faces and each blade member has a plurality of angled blade faces. Each blade face is slidably mounted on a respective wedge face. The knob includes a wall which has an end that can be selectively engaged with an end of the wedge member to prevent the axial movement thereof relative to the housing. The end can be moved from engagement with the wedge member to allow movement thereof by rotating the knob.