Abstract: A recorder or printer device including apparatus for threading a continuous web of printable material from a supply through a main drive nip, including a main drive nip formed by a drive surface of a rotatable roll and a main presser which urges the web against the roll, a loop-introducing guide surface arranged relative to the drive surface of the roll, to form a convergent channel leading to the drive nip, and an initial presser for urging the web against the roll at an initial drive nip spaced from the main drive nip. The initial presser has a second position separate from the drive roll for enabling placement of a leader portion of the web between the initial presser and the roll with the leader extending past the initial nip.