Abstract: An improved apparatus for imprinting characters embossed on cards comprising a substantially flat imprinting base having on its upper surface a plurality of printing elements including a card having embossed characters thereon; a platen carriage mounted on said base for reciprocal movement thereon; a first roller platen rotatably mounted on a first roller platen axle mounted in the platen carriage perpendicular to its direction of travel and a second roller platen rotatably mounted on a second roller platen axle mounted in parallel relation to the first axle; means for holding one of the roller platens in a lowered position capable of imprinting characters during travel over the base in one direction and simultaneously holding the other roller platen in a raised, idle position; automatic shifting means for shifting the raised idle roller platen into a lowered position at the limit of platen carriage movement and simultaneously raising the other roller platen; means for separately adjusting the vertical elevat