Abstract: An apparatus for punching of symbols into template material with a punching tool. The punching tool has punching pins selectable by corresponding selector means. An operating mechanism, after selection of the punching pins by the corresponding selector means presses the punching pins through the template material in a grid arrangement characteristic of each symbol to be punched into the template material. The punching tool has several parallel rows of punching pins, of different punch sizes for punching of symbols in different sizes of lettering and/or types of lettering. The selector means selects and operates the punching pins of only one punching row, in any desired combination for punching of symbols according to a straight-line dot grid.