Frequently Asked Questions
Are you open for appointments right now?
UPDATED (Feb 2021): No, in accordance with Toronto’s plan for Covid we are closed for appointments, only utilizing shipping and curtsied pick up options.
What if I don’t like my typewriter? Do you offer refunds?
All sales are final, and let us tell you why! Our machines are antiques, and we know they can be a bit tricky to use at first. It’s not the same as turning on a laptop and opening a word processor, there is more of a learning curve. So it’s possible that a customer may accidentally damage a machine during that process. We encourage our customers to make an appointment to come to our workshop, or go to the Arts Market on College to try a machine so they know what they’re getting. It also costs a lot of money to ship the machines, and we are a small business (about as far from Amazon as a business can get), so we simply can’t afford it! If you aren’t able to come in to test out a machine, that’s okay too. We are doing everything we can to help our customers learn how to use their antique technology including new instructional videos and this FAQ section.
Do you offer typewriter rentals?
Because our machines are antiques, we try to not move them around too much unless they are on their way to their forever homes. As such, we are unable to do individual rentals on just any of our machines, but we do have a select few that we rent out for $250.00 a day. We also do larger scale movie rentals. Did you know our machines were featured on Umbrella Academy and Murdoch Mysteries? We’re famous!
Do you ship overseas?
Yes, we have shipped to many different countries. Prices vary greatly, depending on the destination. Please contact us for a specific requirement.
How much is shipping?
It varies depending on where and what we are shipping. Within Canada we charge $30.00 to ship a machine, and $2.00 for a ribbon and utilize Canada Post.
Do you do payment plans?
No, we don’t currently offer payment plans, but we have machines listed on our website for every budget.
How long will a ribbon last?
It depends on the length of the ribbon, but we now sell ten-meter ribbons, which should last you around 180,000 words.
Do ribbons come in different colours?
Yes! We have combination black/red ribbons, as well as solely back, purple and even BLUE. Ooo!
What types of paper can I use with my machine?
You can actually put fairly thick paper in a typewriter. So long as the spool still turns when you load it into the machine, you can use it to type! However, we wouldn’t recommend trying to cram something as thick as cardboard in there. Use 20-24lbs paper or craft paper.
Will you teach me how to use the typewriter?
Unfortunately our small staff isn’t currently able to offer lessons, but we do have events planned for the future that will offer something in the way of live instruction. We also have a number of instructional videos coming up that should help. Stay tuned!
Do you offer instructional videos?
Yes, we have a whole schedule of short, instructional videos that we will be releasing soon through our newsletter. Make sure you’re signed up to get this and other exclusive content!
Where can I buy your machines?
Our machines are available for purchase by appointment at our workshop and online. We’ve also got machines stocked at the Arts Market located in Toronto, Ontario.
How do I install my ribbon?
Things are easiest when broken down into steps, wouldn’t you say?
NOTE: if you don’t want to get your fingers dirty, grab a pair of blunt tweezers.
1. Open the dust cover, the piece that’s like a hood on a car, which covers all the mechanical parts of your machines. On some machines there may be a lever to release it.
2. Make sure you give yourself some slack by unspooling a bit of the ribbon.
3. Gently remove the ribbon from the guides on either side of the spools.
4. Remove the ribbon from the ‘vibrator,’ the section in the center that holds the ribbon up so the keys can strike it.
5. Pull both spools out of their holders.
6. Repeat this process in reverse with the new ribbon!
How do I know the age of my machine?
We spend a great deal of time researching each machine and finding out as much as we can about it. We’ve worked on machines from the late 1800s. Our website is currently being updated with information about each machine, so feel free to peruse it. Alternatively, there are some great resources online from other typewriter enthusiasts, so get Googling!
Where is the ‘1’ key on my machine?
This can vary from machine to machine. But if your machine doesn’t have the number 1 on it, it was likely set up to use the minuscule letter ‘l’ instead!
Where is the exclamation point on my machine?
Some machines don’t have an exclamation point. To create an exclamation point, use a period (.), then press backspace, then shift + 8 to create one. Essentially you're combining characters to create your desired result, you magician you.
How do I open my typewriter case?
Many typewriter cases had a key, but they often get lost over the years. We generally don’t buy cases that come with a key, so if yours arrived without one, you likely just need to press a small release button on either side of the clasp and the case should pop open.
UPDATED (Feb 2021): No, in accordance with Toronto’s plan for Covid we are closed for appointments, only utilizing shipping and curtsied pick up options.
What if I don’t like my typewriter? Do you offer refunds?
All sales are final, and let us tell you why! Our machines are antiques, and we know they can be a bit tricky to use at first. It’s not the same as turning on a laptop and opening a word processor, there is more of a learning curve. So it’s possible that a customer may accidentally damage a machine during that process. We encourage our customers to make an appointment to come to our workshop, or go to the Arts Market on College to try a machine so they know what they’re getting. It also costs a lot of money to ship the machines, and we are a small business (about as far from Amazon as a business can get), so we simply can’t afford it! If you aren’t able to come in to test out a machine, that’s okay too. We are doing everything we can to help our customers learn how to use their antique technology including new instructional videos and this FAQ section.
Do you offer typewriter rentals?
Because our machines are antiques, we try to not move them around too much unless they are on their way to their forever homes. As such, we are unable to do individual rentals on just any of our machines, but we do have a select few that we rent out for $250.00 a day. We also do larger scale movie rentals. Did you know our machines were featured on Umbrella Academy and Murdoch Mysteries? We’re famous!
Do you ship overseas?
Yes, we have shipped to many different countries. Prices vary greatly, depending on the destination. Please contact us for a specific requirement.
How much is shipping?
It varies depending on where and what we are shipping. Within Canada we charge $30.00 to ship a machine, and $2.00 for a ribbon and utilize Canada Post.
Do you do payment plans?
No, we don’t currently offer payment plans, but we have machines listed on our website for every budget.
How long will a ribbon last?
It depends on the length of the ribbon, but we now sell ten-meter ribbons, which should last you around 180,000 words.
Do ribbons come in different colours?
Yes! We have combination black/red ribbons, as well as solely back, purple and even BLUE. Ooo!
What types of paper can I use with my machine?
You can actually put fairly thick paper in a typewriter. So long as the spool still turns when you load it into the machine, you can use it to type! However, we wouldn’t recommend trying to cram something as thick as cardboard in there. Use 20-24lbs paper or craft paper.
Will you teach me how to use the typewriter?
Unfortunately our small staff isn’t currently able to offer lessons, but we do have events planned for the future that will offer something in the way of live instruction. We also have a number of instructional videos coming up that should help. Stay tuned!
Do you offer instructional videos?
Yes, we have a whole schedule of short, instructional videos that we will be releasing soon through our newsletter. Make sure you’re signed up to get this and other exclusive content!
Where can I buy your machines?
Our machines are available for purchase by appointment at our workshop and online. We’ve also got machines stocked at the Arts Market located in Toronto, Ontario.
How do I install my ribbon?
Things are easiest when broken down into steps, wouldn’t you say?
NOTE: if you don’t want to get your fingers dirty, grab a pair of blunt tweezers.
1. Open the dust cover, the piece that’s like a hood on a car, which covers all the mechanical parts of your machines. On some machines there may be a lever to release it.
2. Make sure you give yourself some slack by unspooling a bit of the ribbon.
3. Gently remove the ribbon from the guides on either side of the spools.
4. Remove the ribbon from the ‘vibrator,’ the section in the center that holds the ribbon up so the keys can strike it.
5. Pull both spools out of their holders.
6. Repeat this process in reverse with the new ribbon!
How do I know the age of my machine?
We spend a great deal of time researching each machine and finding out as much as we can about it. We’ve worked on machines from the late 1800s. Our website is currently being updated with information about each machine, so feel free to peruse it. Alternatively, there are some great resources online from other typewriter enthusiasts, so get Googling!
Where is the ‘1’ key on my machine?
This can vary from machine to machine. But if your machine doesn’t have the number 1 on it, it was likely set up to use the minuscule letter ‘l’ instead!
Where is the exclamation point on my machine?
Some machines don’t have an exclamation point. To create an exclamation point, use a period (.), then press backspace, then shift + 8 to create one. Essentially you're combining characters to create your desired result, you magician you.
How do I open my typewriter case?
Many typewriter cases had a key, but they often get lost over the years. We generally don’t buy cases that come with a key, so if yours arrived without one, you likely just need to press a small release button on either side of the clasp and the case should pop open.