Abstract: To record on a single sheet (9) both a picture image and alphanumeric characters, each character to be recorded is stored (24) in the form of signals representing a multi-column pattern of dots which make up that character. Signals derived in synchronism with the scanning of successive lines on the recording sheet are applied to circuits (19, 20, 23, 25) to derive a column address signal for the character store (24), which is also addressed with a data signal representative of a selected character (32). In this way, signals corresponding to a selected column of the required character are taken from store and are applied to a selector circuit which also receives the picture signals and applies either the picture signals or the character signals to the recording head.