Abstract: A control device for a printer of matrix type, in which the recording elements are moved along a recording sheet by means of a movable member. The recording elements are arranged in groups of elements which have been staggered with respect to each other, and are actuated per row and per column. Devices which are provided in the present invention include a starting position device, for storing a position code which represents an extreme position of the movable member; an address counter; a buffer store; a character generator; and a row counter and column counter.