Abstract: The present invention includes methods for operating a mailing machine. A permit mail imprint is generated in the mailing machine on the basis of input signals entered into the mailing machine via a user interface of the mailing machine. At least some of the input signals may represent alphanumeric characters. For example, the permit number may be entered via a keypad or keyboard in the form of numeric characters.

Abstract: A thermal ink ribbon cassette for holding an inked ribbon of indefinite length for is in a thermal transfer printing mechanism is disclosed in which the cassette holds a spool of fresh ink ribbon which passes out of the cassette and across a thermal printing head, and then back into the cassette into a used ribbon chamber. A ribbon drive mechanism is mounted in the cassette adjacent the location on the cassette where the used ribbon normally enters the cassette so that if the ribbon breaks, the free broken end can be manually fed into the drive mechanism so that the remaining portion of the unused ribbon can be used. The cassette may also be provided with a removable front wall so that replacement ribbons can be inserted by a user, and a disposable container can be put into the ribbon take up chamber of the cassette so that a user does not have to handle the rumpled ink ribbon when changing to a new ribbon.