The ribbon in an impact printer needs to be replaced over time as it can wear out or deplete, leading to faded characters on the printed document. Impact printers use a ribbon coated with ink that is struck by the print head to create an impression on the paper. Unlike rollers or feeder assemblies, which are responsible for paper movement and handling, or the print head, which generally has a longer lifespan, the ribbon is consumable and directly affects print quality.