A composite printing apparatus includes a character-based impact printer, a dot matrix printer, and a memory for storing a plurality of sets of pattern data corresponding to different fonts and other characteristics of print images. The impact printer includes a print element carrier having indicia identifying the font and other characteristics of the print elements on the carrier. A print carrier detector determines from the indicia the type of type elements on the carrier and generates signals for selecting from the memory a set of corresponding pattern data that is used to control the dot matrix printer to produce character images with print quality and characteristics matching those of the character images produced by the impact printer.