Abstract: An endless flexible print belt or character support for a printing apparatus which includes a writing medium and a striking arrangement for applying mechanical strike pulses to the writing medium, with the print belt or character support being actuated or driven so as to advance with respect to the writing medium. According to the present invention, the print belt or character support has a plurality of elongated relatively hard type bearing segments located in a predetermined side by side relationship and in close proximity to adjacent segments, with the axis of the segments being parallel. A series of reinforcing cords extend laterally across and engage the segments to provide reinforcement therefor. An elastic bonding or encapsulating material is disposed between the segments and around the cords to lock the type bearing segments in the predetermined position.