a multipoint recorder has a multicolor ink cartridge arranged to be selectively aligned with a recording head having a plurality of selectively energizable recording elements whereby a color from the multicolor ink cartridge is selected for printing by the recording elements . a fixed color operation of the recorder enables a recording to be made in a single color by maintaining a preselected alignment of the recording head and a desired color in the multicolor ink cartridge . alternatively , the color of the recording can be selectively altered at any time to produce a multicolor recording by selecting a corresponding color from the multicolor ink cartridge for each recording .