Control circuit for selectively enabling the energization of printing elements (25) in sequence in a print head (26) to achieve a more nearly constant current flow in the print elements (25) to thereby produce recorded marks of more uniform size. The formation of the print elements (25) into gated small groups (25-1...25-17; 25-2...25-18) reduces the maximum allowable current and, hence, the electromagnetic radiation. During traversal of the print head (26) along a print line, the lagging print element group (25-2...25-18) is enabled prior to the leading group (25-1...25-17) regardless of travel direction of the print head (26) in order to minimize the recording impedance for the energized print elements (25).