Typewriter Supplies and Upkeep.

Many people find themselves having a manual typewriter before they have all the required (or desired) ancillaries; this number increases as the average age of new owners decreases.  Here are some things to look for and/or to keep in mind.

TYPING PAPER -- Now virtually unfindable at office supply stores.  I myself employ inexpensive computer printer paper, not too thick.  One of the problems with using paper not designed for typewriters is quality of impression, so that now, more than ever, keeping a fresh ribbon and keeping the type face clean are highly important.  I also have tended to set the touch regulator differently on different machines, depending upon how hard I need to strike in order to produce the proper impression.  Depending upon what kind of paper you acquire, this may change from brand to brand.  I should note that you CAN buy actual typing paper on the internet, from various large office supply houses, and can even buy it not just by the pack but by the case.  These do change, though, as some run out and take a while to restock; your best bet is to Google search for "typing paper," and an even better bet is to specify something like "Mead typing paper."  This will normally produce at least two or three places in the US that have it in stock ready to ship.

FELT TYPEWRITER PAD -- Forget it.  I bought the last one ever sold at a nearby typewriter sales and repair shop about six years ago.  They had no more, and no line on more.  The purpose of these things was twofold; first, they help deaden sound, and second, they help prevent the machine moving around.  This may sound silly, but the smallest type of rubber kitchen/bath mats, with suction feet on the bottom, do really well as a substitute.  No, they're not decorative, but functional.   You can also use a set of four of the large computer mouse pads grouped together.

CLEANING BRUSHES -- Often found with machines, but also found in typewriter kits discovered in resale shops, or on e-Bay.  Stiff bristles are needed for keeping the type face clean; you can use a soft lint-free rag to remove dust from the machine overall. 

CORRECTION FILM -- Again, hard to find, and when you DO find it, it tends to be flaky and ineffective simply from aging.  Typewriter erasers are hard to find too, and don't have the same effect on computer paper.  Your best bet is "white out," although you must be certain it's dry before overtyping.

MANUALS -- There are two general types.  Most people seek owner's manuals for machines, and the headway in this field is good; several places online offer copies.  The other variety, the general typist's manual, is easily available from any place that sells old or used books.  Most of these give hints on keeping machines clean and ready for daily use, in addition to their vast content of practice instruction.

TYPEWRITER RIBBONS -- Some office supply stores still sell either red/black or black/correction ribbons, and NCR still lists them as available.  NCR 151700 is the ribbon of choice for me.  Online, you can still find them in various places.  One note - some machines had very nonstandard ribbon spools, but you can buy a new ribbon and wind it onto these non-standard spools without too much effort. 

Further questions?  Join the Portable Typewriter Forum if you're a new owner and are having trouble operating your machine, or finding supplies and/or support for it.