In accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure, a printing apparatus includes: a housing including at least one removable portion, a pair of spool supports which are rotatably drivable by at least one motor, a supply spool, a take-up spool, each spool being receivable on a respective spool support, such that, in use, a ribbon extends along a ribbon path between the supply spool and the take-up spool, a ribbon identification system comprising: a tag for storing information concerning a property of the ribbon, a reader, wherein the tag is attached to one of the supply and take-up spools and the reader is attached to the removable portion or one of the removable portions, and wherein a signal emitted by the tag and received by the reader allows the reader to identify a property of the ribbon.

In accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure, a printing apparatus includes: a housing including at least one removable portion, a pair of spool supports which are rotatably drivable by at least one motor, a supply spool, a take-up spool, each spool being receivable on a respective spool support, such that, in use, a ribbon extends along a ribbon path between the supply spool and the take-up spool, a ribbon identification system comprising: a tag for storing information concerning a property of the ribbon, a reader, wherein the tag is attached to one of the supply and take-up spools and the reader is attached to the removable portion or one of the removable portions, and wherein a signal emitted by the tag and received by the reader allows the reader to identify a property of the ribbon.

An example disclosed printer includes a base. The printer further includes a lid attached to the base movable between a closed position in which the lid is secured to the base, and an open position in which the lid is at least partially separated from the base. The printer further includes an arcuate slot disposed on an inside surface of the lid. The printer further includes a ribbon frame disposed within the printer, and a ribbon frame post secured to the ribbon frame and disposed within the arcuate slot. When the lid is moved to the open position, the arcuate slot lifts the ribbon frame post and causes the ribbon frame to move to a presenting position.

An example disclosed printer includes a base. The printer further includes a lid attached to the base movable between a closed position in which the lid is secured to the base, and an open position in which the lid is at least partially separated from the base. The printer further includes an arcuate slot disposed on an inside surface of the lid. The printer further includes a ribbon frame disposed within the printer, and a ribbon frame post secured to the ribbon frame and disposed within the arcuate slot. When the lid is moved to the open position, the arcuate slot lifts the ribbon frame post and causes the ribbon frame to move to a presenting position.

A ribbon take-up hub for a printer is disclosed. The ribbon take-up hub comprises a centre hub configured to be coupled to a rotatable component of the printer. The centre hub comprising a button. Further, one or more arc shaped blocks are positioned in proximity to the centre hub, and a plurality of tension holders are attached to the centre hub. Further, upon pressing of the button, the plurality of tension holders retracts inside the centre hub to facilitate placement and winding of a ribbon between the plurality of tension holders and the one or more arc shaped blocks. Further, upon releasing the button, the plurality of tension holders extends from the centre hub to clamp the winded ribbon between the plurality of tension holders and the one or more arc shaped blocks.