Control circuit for a dot matrix printing head of the permanent magnetic type or symple electromagnet type, wherein a printing element (16, 17) is subjected to a variable magnetic flux, owing to an energization current and/or to a movable armature movement, which causes an energization current to be established in the printing element for its actuation, to be switched off for the deactivation of the printing element and which thereafter establishes a shorting path letting a current induced in the printing element by mangetic flux changes due to the movable armature movement, flow in the printing element, with damping effect on the armature movement.