a ribbon drive mechanism for a typewriter or similar machine in which the supply spool and a first ribbon guide are fixed with respect to the machine frame , and the take - up spool and a second ribbon guide are vertically moveable with respect to the machine frame . the ribbon is fed past the print point when the take - up spool and the second ribbon guide adjacent thereto are in their raised position . means are also provided for feeding a constant increment of ribbon , regardless of the amount of ribbon on the take - up spool .