Abstract: A thermal printer that transfers print from a ribbon onto a moving web, and methods therefor, by dispensing ribbon from a supply spindle with one or more feed rollers rotating in a first direction, and winding the ribbon on a rewind spindle when dispensing ribbon from the supply spindle when printing. The dispensing direction of the ribbon is reversible before or after printing by rotating the one or more feed rollers in a second direction opposite the first direction to utilize ribbon more efficiently. The reversed ribbon is either rewound on the supply spindle or tensioned with a dancer arm.

Abstract: A coding and marking printer system having an unwind reel coupled to a rotatable drag pulley to supply ribbon from a depletable ribbon supply roll disposed thereon to a first guide roller, to a dancer guide roller on a pivotal dancer arm, and then to a rewind reel. A drag belt disposed partially about the drag pulley has first and second ends coupled to the dancer arm, which is pivotal about its axis to control tension on the drag belt as ribbon is supplied from the unwind reel, whereby drag on the unwind reel increases as the ribbon supply roll decreases in size to maintain relatively constant drag on the ribbon. A heated rotatable typeholder is actuatably disposed in an insulated heater block to reduce heat radiation therefrom, particularly when the heater block is oriented with the typeholder directed upwardly.