instead of the sacrificial member 24 comprising a recirculating belt the sacrificial member 24 consists of a generally non circulating belt or strip 60 i e a fixed web which is removably retained by a first spring clip 62 and a second spring clip 64 the spring clips 62 64 serve to keep the belt or strip 60 from moving substantially with the web 10 in either direction during printing yet allow the belt or strip 60 to be replaced or repositioned because the belt 60 does not generally move during the printing process the ability of the belt 60 to resist thermal deformation is important therefore preferably the belt or strip 60 consists of a material which is highly resistant to thermal deformation such as kapton u2122 polyimide 0038 fig5 shows still another embodiment wherein the sacrificial member 24 does not circulate endlessly nor is fixed but rather comprises a ribbon 70 which is fed from a supply roll 72 to a take up roll 74 preferably the ribbon 70 is unpigmented i e uninked with a heavy backcoat in which case it is possible to use print media which does not include coatings that limit wear on the print head as shown the ribbon 70 contacts and is generally held in tension by the print head 32 and roller 22 and pinch roller 76 the difference in diameters between the roller 22 and pulley 18 provides that the ribbon 70 moves slower than does.