Ribbon packaging is used to load the ribbon into the printer and to code the media type into the printer. The inventive ribbon packaging comprises a contoured sleeve that acts as a loading device. The contoured sleeve with printer ribbon is inserted into the printer. The contoured sleeve is withdrawn and the printer ribbon is left in the installed position in the printer. The packaging also has coding that can be read by the printer's electronics and coded in to the printer software, thereby automatically setting up the media type.