Abstract: A character generator for full page, raster scan printing is controlled to sequentially generate parts of different characters in a single scan. Further the character generation control independently stores for each row of text to be generated, the order position of a character or symbol being generated and the remaining number of raster scans required to complete generation of the symbol. Use of this control permits the sequential generation of parts of symbols even though the symbols have different relative widths and the full page raster scans are in a direction normal to the lines of text on the page. Use of the control also permits text assembly in a page memory to be generated in printed lines of text that extend either parallel or normal to the direction of light spot scanning by selecting predetermined alternative page memory access sequences.