The print apparatus comprises a character-carrying element of the `daisywheel` type with flexible spokes which can be selectively positioned in front of a platen roller, a print hammer for moving a selected character towards the platen roller, an actuating solenoid for the print hammer and a damping mechanism which acts on the hammer after the printing of each character. The hammer is directly connected to a movable armature of the solenoid and is returned by a return spring.During the return phase, the armature displaces, against a travel limiting stop, a counteracting weight which is urged towards an intermediate stop by the force of a counteracting spring. A first damping element is disposed between the movable armature and the counteracting weight and a second damping element is disposed between the weight and the travel limiting stop. The two damping elements, operating sequentially, minimize the time required for the hammer to settle down.