Abstract: A ticket printing machine having reversible means for propelling a ticket between two points. The machine has a printing head which is movable transversely to the track of the ticket in a plane parallel to the plane of the ticket. The printing head is driven in steps across the track of the ticket. The arrival of the ticket at either of the two points gives rise to an output signal. Upon the occurrence of such a signal, the ticket is driven in a direction opposite to that at which it arrived at the point and is propelled back toward the other point. The printing head is operative during the traverse of the ticket in either direction to print a line of printing. In addition, when an output signal is generated denoting the arrival of the ticket at one of the points, the printing head is advanced one step across the ticket in readiness for the next line of printing.