Source: wikiHow
Manual typewriters have plenty of vintage charm, but there are practical reasons for using them, too. Typewriters can create neat type on oddly-shaped envelopes or papers, and they can be fun to tinker with. If you’ve never used a manual typewriter before, there are a few things you need to know before you can begin.
- 1 Slide the margin set on the right-hand side of the typewriter. Before you start typing, you’ll want to make sure that your margins are set correctly. The right-hand margin set is usually located next to the larger carriage release lever at the top right of the typewriter. The margin sets usually look like metal brackets at the very top of the typewriter. They may have a button you have to press before you can move them.[1]
- 2 Move the margin set on the carriage until it is located at your desired right margin. Some typewriters have a ruler built in for measuring an exact margin. If yours doesn’t, you may want to use a tape measure or a ruler to get accurate margins. Standard margins for a typewriter are 1 inch (2.5 cm) all the way around the paper, although some people prefer 1.25 inches (3.2 cm) on the sides.[2]
- 3 Repeat the process for the left-hand side. Once you get your right margin, set the left-hand margins to match by sliding the left margin set along the carriage. The margins should remain set until the next time you press the margin-set levers.[3]
- 1 Flip up the paper guide and place a piece of paper behind the cylinder. When you’re ready to type, you’ll need to put paper in your typewriter. You can use regular copy paper in your typewriter, although some writers prefer a heavier stock. Look for the paper lock (or paper guide), a bar located above the keyboard. Flip it up and slide your paper behind the roller, or cylinder.[4]
- 2 Turn either cylinder knob until the paper comes up under the guide, then secure it. Once the paper appears, keep rolling until the carriage is located where you want to start typing. Remember that for most papers, your top margin should be 1 inch (2.5 cm). When the paper is where you want it to be, push the paper lock back into place.[5]
- 3 Adjust the paper if necessary by pressing the paper release lever. If you need to make a small adjustment to the alignment of your paper, pull the paper lock forward again and…
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