Abstract: A plurality of stepper motors, each of which comprises a stator assembly and a rotor, are axially aligned to form with a control system an encoder for use in a printing apparatus. The rotors constitute print wheels which support different print characters. The stator assembly of each motor only extends above a part of the circumference of the associated rotor. This enables the axial extent of the print wheels to be reduced, A sensor arrangement is provided to enable the home position of each wheel to be determined. In operation, the control system receives desired print character information and rotates the associated rotor to the correct position for printing to take place. Once all rotors have been rotated to their desired position for printing, printing can then take place. The arrangement enables the printing process to run faster than previously.