Abstract: A print head for a printer is constructed as an optical character generator and comprises a plurality of switch cells arranged in a two-dimensional field. The energy output by radiation source is transmitted in parallel onto the matrix dots arranged in a grid and these matrix dots lie in the plane of an ink layer on a band-shaped continuous carrier. Each of the switch cells comprises an optical switch element composed of a transparent ferro-electric ceramic substrate composed of lead, zirconate titanate doped with lanthanum and having transparent electrodes for applying a pulse-shaped controlled voltage. In response to a corresponding control voltage, the radiant energy is transmitted frm the switch element into the allocated matrix dot, for example, for a local melting of the ink layer on the carrier, which was coated with a thermo plastic printing ink having a low melting point. The printing arrangement is suitable for line printers having single colors or multiple color printing.