What is the primary function of the ribbon in an impact printer?

The primary function of the ribbon in an impact printer is to sit in front of the printhead and be saturated with ink. In the operation of an impact printer, the printhead strikes the ribbon, which is coated in ink, against the paper. This mechanical action transfers the ink from the ribbon to the paper, ultimately creating the printed output. The ribbon acts as an intermediary, facilitating the transfer of ink to produce the text or image on the page.

In relation to the other choices, a digital representation of the print job is not created by the ribbon but rather by the printer's control software. The statement about holding the object in position during the printing process refers more to components like roller systems rather than the ribbon itself. Additionally, while the ribbon does hold ink, its primary role is to provide that ink to the paper during the impact process, making the assertion that it directly transfers ink to the paper more relevant.