When the energized print wire touches the printing medium, the print wire begins to be pushed back into the print head.

As the wire is pushed back, an air gap between a yoke and a print wire armature is created.

A print wire actuator coil for the print wire used in the gap setting operation is then energized.

When the output voltage of the Hall sensor reaches a predetermined level, the controller determines that the print wire has pressed the ribbon and printing medium against the platen.