Abstract: An improved ribbon lift mechanism for alternately raising a ribbon from a lowered position to first and second elevations relative to a print line. A ribbon lift lever is raised by a cam ring having alternating high and low lift cams separated by valleys for acting on a cam follower directly connected to the ribbon lift lever. The cam ring is indexable by a cyclically movable powered lever which acts to control a locking lever to lock the raised ribbon lift lever at said first and second elevations and to release it for return to lowered position incident to a cycle of the powered lever. The arrangement allows an economy of parts and operation by a relatively weak power source.