Methods for operating a printer web medium supply are provided in one aspect of the method. An input force is received and the input force is distributed to supply first force at a first end of a core having a web wound thereon and to supply a second force at a second end of the core with the first force and the second force being sufficient to control rotation the core against an inertial load of the core and web medium wound thereon. Both the first force and the second force are less than a third force applied to a single driven end of an alternative core to rotate the alternative core against the inertial load and wherein the core has a first yield strength at the first end and a second yield strength at the second end that are less than a third yield strength required to receive the third force at the driven end of the alternative core.