A platen assembly for an impact printer comprises the combination of an impact transducer (28) between the backup plate (23) and the type band (11) of a printer and an impact isolator (29) interposed between the transducer and the type band. The transducer comprises a strip of force sensitive material. The strip extends over a plurality of print positions. Electrode means in contact with the surfaces of the force sensitive material form discrete impact zones aligned with the print hammers. One of the electrode means is a con­tinuous conductive strip on one side of the force sensitive strip. Plural conductive pads on the other side of the strip form the discrete impact zones. The transducer element can be a foil using PVF2 with etched conductive patterns forming the electrodes.