Abstract: Document handling apparatus 10 includes a reception platen 32 disposed below and movable with respect to a dot-matrix printer 28 having a printer head 30. A document placed on the platen 32 can therefore be brought into register with the printer head 30 by the raising and/or lowering of the platen 32 which is caused by a solenoid 48 linked to an eccentric cam 40 disposed below the platen 32. Rubber stoppers 38, 39 act as spacing means to ensure that a document in contact with the platen 32 and the stoppers 38 is at a distance from the printing head 30 pre-determined to allow the head 30 during its operation to contact the document's surface. Rollers 52 cause the document to be moved over the platen 32 and a sensor is provided to sense the presence of the document and actuate the solenoid.