Abstract: A serial disk printer which includes an ink roll is disclosed. During printing, the print disk is continuously rotated at a constant speed as it moves across the print line. The motion of the carrier across the print line does not begin until rotation of the print disk has been brought up to speed. In order to avoid unnecessary delay, the rotation of the print disk is not immediately stopped at the end of each line of printing. Instead, after each line of printing the carrier is returned to a home position and the disk is rotated for several seconds so that in the event printing of another line is required shortly after the completion of a line of printing the disk is still rotating and there will not be any delay before printing can begin. Ink is applied to the print disk by an ink roll which is in contact with the print disk. A mechanism is provided to lift the ink roll from the print disk while the disk is idling in home position. Thus, there is no wear on the ink roll while it is in home position.