A media cassette loader is described. The media cassette loader comprises a base; a media loading surface inclined at an angle to the base; and an end wall upstanding from a lower end of the media loading surface. The end wall supports media items stacked on the media loading surface. The media loading surface and the end wall are dimensioned to be accommodated within a media cassette body. This allows the media cassette body to be placed over the media loading surface when stacked with media items so that the cassette body surrounds the stacked media items.