Guide to Typewriters

Typewriters are still useful office equipment
By Claudia Newcorn

Typewriters still serve many useful functions in today’s offices. Electric typewriters can improve efficiency and enhance precision and control when it comes to labels, envelopes, printed forms, carbon copies and other items that a computer struggles to print on.

Electric typewriters, portable typewriters and even manual typewriters are still available, as are typewriter parts and ribbons. Brother, Royal, Smith-Corona, Olivetti and IBM can be bought, although only the first three of these typewriter manufacturers remain in the business. You can buy new and refurbished typewriters online and through typewriter distributors and possibly find them at office supply stores as well.

Choose a typewriter with features best suited to your needs and budget. For low usage, select one with fewer features. For regular, even heavy usage, consider an electronic typewriter with spell check, correction memory, battery back-up and a dictionary. Questions to ask when evaluating electronic typewriters include:

1. Volume: How many projects are you using your typewriter for?

2. Project type: What types of projects are you doing?

3. Correction: Will you need to make corrections on the document?

4. Font flexibility: Will you need to have more than 1 font available?

5. Paper width: Are you working with 8.5” x 11” or wider?

Action Steps

The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Compare features for different typewriters online Save time by comparing different typewriter brands and models before you buy. Review features, pricing and availability for an electric typewriter or manual typewriter online.

I recommend: Side by side comparisons at PriceGrabber.com, MSN Shopping and SortPrice enable you to evaluate different options, correction features, page width and font choices. View an overall broader assortment as each site usually profiles a different inventory of machines.

Choose your typewriter's basic features Whether purchasing an electric typewriter or a manual typewriter, it's important to consider basic features such as pitch selection (point size-usually 10 point and 12 point), platen or carriage width (around which the paper wraps), line spacing (1, 1.5 and 2 lines) and paper length it accepts.

I recommend: Brother International’s product index is user friendly and provides a detailed description of both current and discontinued typewriters. Refurb Express offers a broad selection of refurbished electronic typewriters. Also check the supply at Typewriters.com and Royal. If you're looking for a vintage manual typewriter, try Classic Typewriter Classifieds or MrTypewriter.com.

Save and store information with memory typewriters Memory typewriters are hybrids. Their operation combines mechanical with microprocessor technology to provide many word-processing functions, and sometimes includes a partial-line visual display. For jobs that require repeated use of information, such as labels and envelopes, or high volume projects, a memory electronic typewriter combines the best of both pieces of equipment.

I recommend: Both NexTag and mySimon have an extended list of the different typing manufacturer makes and models of memory typewriters to review and compare the different functions available.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

Evaluate getting an extended warranty on your equipment. Like all equipment, typewriters can require repairs. Weigh replacement cost vs. warranty cost before you decide.
Keep a back-up stock of typewriter supplies on hand, and not just a single replacement. When it comes to typewriter ribbons and correction tape, keep two in case one is faulty.
Try before you buy if you are unfamiliar with a particular typewriter model.