Ticket issuing machine

This theater ticket issuing machine uses a single print head to print on any selected one of three differently-colored ticket stocks. Guides establish three separate ticket stock paths, one for each color of ticket stock. These three paths converge into a common path where printing takes place. Each path has its own feed rollers driven by reversible stepping motors under microprocessor control. A cutter is located beyond the print head in the normal direction of ticket stock movement. After cutting, ticket stock is withdrawn by reverse operation of the appropriate feed rollers to clear the common path, at least where a different ticket stock is to be fed in the next issuing operation. The microprocessor can be made to eliminate the clearing step when the color of the next ticket to issue is the same as that of the last ticket issued.