Abstract: An apparatus for supplying a newly re-coated continuous ribbon to a moving printhead carrier in a printer. The present invention is particularly adaptable for use in thermal printers having multicolored ribbons. The apparatus comprises a cartridge housing which is mounted on the printer frame, and which contains the ribbons. The newly re-coated ribbons exit the cartridge housing, become coupled to the moving printhead carrier, and then reenter the cartridge housing as used ribbon. The used ribbon passes a re-coating station where it is re-inked through contact with a donor ribbon and heated pressure rollers to become newly re-coated ribbon. A lift arm on the printhead carrier selects the desired colored ribbon which has been newly re-coated for printing.