PRINTHEAD HAVING ELECTRODES

A printhead (10) of a resistive ribbon printer has a column (15,16) of electrodes formed on each of at least two edge surfaces (17,18). When the column (15, 16) of electrodes at one edge surface (17, 18) is worn out after being used for printing, the printhead (10) is rotated so that the column (15, 16) of electrodes at the other edge surface (17, 18) is used for printing. Instead of the column (15, 16) of electrodes at each edge surface (17, 18) being the same size, the column (15, 16) of electrodes at one edge surface (17, 18) could be smaller than at the other edge surface (17, 18) so as to have a higher resolution for graphics whereby the position of the printhead is changed each time that higher resolution is desired and then returned to its initial position when alphanumeric printing is to occur. The printhead could have more than two edge surfaces (17, 18) with each having a column (15, 16) of electrodes for printing when at the printing position.