diff --git a/regression/strings-smoke-tests/java_string_printable/Test.class b/regression/strings-smoke-tests/java_string_printable/Test.class
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..67670375b05
Binary files /dev/null and b/regression/strings-smoke-tests/java_string_printable/Test.class differ
diff --git a/regression/strings-smoke-tests/java_string_printable/Test.java b/regression/strings-smoke-tests/java_string_printable/Test.java
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..8b16a250ae6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/regression/strings-smoke-tests/java_string_printable/Test.java
@@ -0,0 +1,21 @@
+public class Test {
+
+    public static String check(String t) {
+        String s = t.concat("$£¥\u0000\u0008\u0010\u001F");
+        // This should be disallowed because "\u0000" is not printable
+        assert(!s.equals("\u0000$£¥\u0000\u0008\u0010\u001F"));
+        // This can fail when t="a" which is printable
+        assert(!s.equals("a$£¥\u0000\u0008\u0010\u001F"));
+        return s;
+    }
+
+    public static boolean check_char(String s, char c) {
+        if(s == null)
+            return false;
+        // This should be -1 for all non-printable character
+        int i = s.indexOf(c);
+        boolean b = (i == -1 || (c >= ' ' && c <= '~'));
+        assert(b);
+        return b;
+    }
+}
diff --git a/regression/strings-smoke-tests/java_string_printable/test.desc b/regression/strings-smoke-tests/java_string_printable/test.desc
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..9a91eb68f6e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/regression/strings-smoke-tests/java_string_printable/test.desc
@@ -0,0 +1,8 @@
+CORE
+Test.class
+--refine-strings --function Test.check --string-max-length 100 --string-printable --java-assume-inputs-non-null
+^EXIT=10$
+^SIGNAL=0$
+assertion.* file Test.java line 6 .* SUCCESS
+assertion.* file Test.java line 8 .* FAILURE
+--
diff --git a/regression/strings-smoke-tests/java_string_printable/test_char.desc b/regression/strings-smoke-tests/java_string_printable/test_char.desc
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..af03ad6fbbe
--- /dev/null
+++ b/regression/strings-smoke-tests/java_string_printable/test_char.desc
@@ -0,0 +1,7 @@
+CORE
+Test.class
+--refine-strings --function Test.check_char --string-max-length 100 --string-printable
+^EXIT=0$
+^SIGNAL=0$
+assertion.* file Test.java line 18 .* SUCCESS
+--
diff --git a/src/cbmc/cbmc_solvers.cpp b/src/cbmc/cbmc_solvers.cpp
index d98b8b3dcca..d9c245b5b7a 100644
--- a/src/cbmc/cbmc_solvers.cpp
+++ b/src/cbmc/cbmc_solvers.cpp
@@ -180,7 +180,6 @@ std::unique_ptr<cbmc_solverst::solvert> cbmc_solverst::get_string_refinement()
     info.string_max_length=options.get_signed_int_option("string-max-length");
   info.string_non_empty=options.get_bool_option("string-non-empty");
   info.trace=options.get_bool_option("trace");
-  info.string_printable=options.get_bool_option("string-printable");
   if(options.get_bool_option("max-node-refinement"))
     info.max_node_refinement=
       options.get_unsigned_int_option("max-node-refinement");
diff --git a/src/java_bytecode/java_bytecode_language.cpp b/src/java_bytecode/java_bytecode_language.cpp
index a4b15d8b963..e99f9fe0b73 100644
--- a/src/java_bytecode/java_bytecode_language.cpp
+++ b/src/java_bytecode/java_bytecode_language.cpp
@@ -51,6 +51,7 @@ void java_bytecode_languaget::get_language_options(const cmdlinet &cmd)
   if(cmd.isset("string-max-input-length"))
     object_factory_parameters.max_nondet_string_length=
       std::stoi(cmd.get_value("string-max-input-length"));
+  object_factory_parameters.string_printable = cmd.isset("string-printable");
   if(cmd.isset("java-max-vla-length"))
     max_user_array_length=std::stoi(cmd.get_value("java-max-vla-length"));
   if(cmd.isset("lazy-methods-context-sensitive"))
diff --git a/src/java_bytecode/java_bytecode_language.h b/src/java_bytecode/java_bytecode_language.h
index eac76e3aa06..1cd59afeee1 100644
--- a/src/java_bytecode/java_bytecode_language.h
+++ b/src/java_bytecode/java_bytecode_language.h
@@ -75,6 +75,9 @@ struct object_factory_parameterst final
   /// dereference a pointer using a 'depth counter'. We set a pointer to null if
   /// such depth becomes >= than this maximum value.
   size_t max_nondet_tree_depth=MAX_NONDET_TREE_DEPTH;
+
+  /// Force string content to be ASCII printable characters when set to true.
+  bool string_printable = false;
 };
 
 typedef std::pair<
diff --git a/src/java_bytecode/java_object_factory.cpp b/src/java_bytecode/java_object_factory.cpp
index 330c5d19a3c..60460ffcb21 100644
--- a/src/java_bytecode/java_object_factory.cpp
+++ b/src/java_bytecode/java_object_factory.cpp
@@ -542,7 +542,8 @@ codet initialize_nondet_string_struct(
   const exprt &obj,
   const std::size_t &max_nondet_string_length,
   const source_locationt &loc,
-  symbol_tablet &symbol_table)
+  symbol_tablet &symbol_table,
+  bool printable)
 {
   PRECONDITION(
     java_string_library_preprocesst::implements_java_char_sequence(obj.type()));
@@ -605,6 +606,13 @@ codet initialize_nondet_string_struct(
 
     add_array_to_length_association(
       data_expr, length_expr, symbol_table, loc, code);
+
+    // Printable ASCII characters are between ' ' and '~'.
+    if(printable)
+    {
+      add_character_set_constraint(
+        array_pointer, length_expr, " -~", symbol_table, loc, code);
+    }
   }
 
   // tmp_object = struct_expr;
@@ -616,6 +624,7 @@ codet initialize_nondet_string_struct(
 /// content and association of its address to the pointer `expr`.
 /// \param expr: pointer to be affected
 /// \param max_nondet_string_length: maximum length of strings to initialize
+/// \param printable: Boolean, true to force content to be printable
 /// \param symbol_table: the symbol table
 /// \param loc: location in the source
 /// \param [out] code: code block in which initialization code is added
@@ -625,6 +634,7 @@ codet initialize_nondet_string_struct(
 static bool add_nondet_string_pointer_initialization(
   const exprt &expr,
   const std::size_t &max_nondet_string_length,
+  bool printable,
   symbol_tablet &symbol_table,
   const source_locationt &loc,
   code_blockt &code)
@@ -644,7 +654,8 @@ static bool add_nondet_string_pointer_initialization(
       dereference_exprt(expr, struct_type),
       max_nondet_string_length,
       loc,
-      symbol_table));
+      symbol_table,
+      printable));
   return false;
 }
 
@@ -784,6 +795,7 @@ void java_object_factoryt::gen_nondet_pointer_init(
     add_nondet_string_pointer_initialization(
       expr,
       object_factory_parameters.max_nondet_string_length,
+      object_factory_parameters.string_printable,
       symbol_table,
       loc,
       assignments);
diff --git a/src/java_bytecode/java_object_factory.h b/src/java_bytecode/java_object_factory.h
index e731c70998b..c6aeac7d3d3 100644
--- a/src/java_bytecode/java_object_factory.h
+++ b/src/java_bytecode/java_object_factory.h
@@ -156,6 +156,7 @@ codet initialize_nondet_string_struct(
   const exprt &obj,
   const std::size_t &max_nondet_string_length,
   const source_locationt &loc,
-  symbol_tablet &symbol_table);
+  symbol_tablet &symbol_table,
+  bool printable);
 
 #endif // CPROVER_JAVA_BYTECODE_JAVA_OBJECT_FACTORY_H
diff --git a/src/java_bytecode/java_string_library_preprocess.cpp b/src/java_bytecode/java_string_library_preprocess.cpp
index eaac8aaf6fc..9135480da20 100644
--- a/src/java_bytecode/java_string_library_preprocess.cpp
+++ b/src/java_bytecode/java_string_library_preprocess.cpp
@@ -704,6 +704,38 @@ void add_array_to_length_association(
       symbol_table));
 }
 
+/// Add a call to a primitive of the string solver which ensures all characters
+/// belong to the character set.
+/// \param pointer: a character pointer expression
+/// \param length: length of the character sequence pointed by `pointer`
+/// \param char_set: character set given by a range expression consisting of
+///                  two characters separated by an hyphen.
+///                  For instance "a-z" denotes all lower case ascii letters.
+/// \param symbol_table: the symbol table
+/// \param loc: source location
+/// \param code [out] : code block to which declaration and calls get added
+void add_character_set_constraint(
+  const exprt &pointer,
+  const exprt &length,
+  const irep_idt &char_set,
+  symbol_tablet &symbol_table,
+  const source_locationt &loc,
+  code_blockt &code)
+{
+  PRECONDITION(pointer.type().id() == ID_pointer);
+  symbolt &return_sym = get_fresh_aux_symbol(
+    java_int_type(), "cnstr_added", "cnstr_added", loc, ID_java, symbol_table);
+  const exprt return_expr = return_sym.symbol_expr();
+  code.add(code_declt(return_expr));
+  const constant_exprt char_set_expr(char_set, string_typet());
+  code.add(
+    code_assign_function_application(
+      return_expr,
+      ID_cprover_string_constrain_characters_func,
+      {length, pointer, char_set_expr},
+      symbol_table));
+}
+
 /// Create a refined_string_exprt `str` whose content and length are fresh
 /// symbols, calls the string primitive with name `function_name`.
 /// In the arguments of the primitive `str` takes the place of the result and
diff --git a/src/java_bytecode/java_string_library_preprocess.h b/src/java_bytecode/java_string_library_preprocess.h
index b02af6bfbcd..d9915655fd4 100644
--- a/src/java_bytecode/java_string_library_preprocess.h
+++ b/src/java_bytecode/java_string_library_preprocess.h
@@ -349,4 +349,12 @@ void add_array_to_length_association(
   const source_locationt &loc,
   code_blockt &code);
 
+void add_character_set_constraint(
+  const exprt &pointer,
+  const exprt &length,
+  const irep_idt &char_set,
+  symbol_tablet &symbol_table,
+  const source_locationt &loc,
+  code_blockt &code);
+
 #endif // CPROVER_JAVA_BYTECODE_JAVA_STRING_LIBRARY_PREPROCESS_H
diff --git a/src/solvers/refinement/string_constraint_generator.h b/src/solvers/refinement/string_constraint_generator.h
index 8d1c9c75546..41e97131662 100644
--- a/src/solvers/refinement/string_constraint_generator.h
+++ b/src/solvers/refinement/string_constraint_generator.h
@@ -42,8 +42,6 @@ class string_constraint_generatort final
   {
     /// Max length of non-deterministic strings
     size_t string_max_length=std::numeric_limits<size_t>::max();
-    /// Prefer printable characters in non-deterministic strings
-    bool string_printable=false;
   };
 
   string_constraint_generatort(const infot& info, const namespacet& ns);
@@ -110,6 +108,14 @@ class string_constraint_generatort final
   void add_default_axioms(const array_string_exprt &s);
   exprt axiom_for_is_positive_index(const exprt &x);
 
+  void add_constraint_on_characters(
+    const array_string_exprt &s,
+    const exprt &start,
+    const exprt &end,
+    const std::string &char_set);
+  exprt
+  add_axioms_for_constrain_characters(const function_application_exprt &f);
+
   // The following functions add axioms for the returned value
   // to be equal to the result of the function given as argument.
   // They are not accessed directly from other classes: they call
@@ -339,7 +345,6 @@ class string_constraint_generatort final
   std::set<array_string_exprt> created_strings;
   unsigned symbol_count=0;
   const messaget message;
-  const bool force_printable_characters;
 
   std::vector<exprt> axioms;
   std::vector<symbol_exprt> boolean_symbols;
diff --git a/src/solvers/refinement/string_constraint_generator_main.cpp b/src/solvers/refinement/string_constraint_generator_main.cpp
index d7ff6d98c86..730e0877a2b 100644
--- a/src/solvers/refinement/string_constraint_generator_main.cpp
+++ b/src/solvers/refinement/string_constraint_generator_main.cpp
@@ -31,7 +31,6 @@ string_constraint_generatort::string_constraint_generatort(
   const string_constraint_generatort::infot &info,
   const namespacet &ns)
   : max_string_length(info.string_max_length),
-    force_printable_characters(info.string_printable),
     ns(ns)
 {
 }
@@ -319,21 +318,71 @@ void string_constraint_generatort::add_default_axioms(
   if(!created_strings.insert(s).second)
     return;
 
-  axioms.push_back(
-    s.axiom_for_length_ge(from_integer(0, s.length().type())));
+  const exprt index_zero = from_integer(0, s.length().type());
+  axioms.push_back(s.axiom_for_length_ge(index_zero));
+
   if(max_string_length!=std::numeric_limits<size_t>::max())
     axioms.push_back(s.axiom_for_length_le(max_string_length));
+}
 
-  if(force_printable_characters)
-  {
-    symbol_exprt qvar=fresh_univ_index("printable", s.length().type());
-    exprt chr=s[qvar];
-    and_exprt printable(
-      binary_relation_exprt(chr, ID_ge, from_integer(' ', chr.type())),
-      binary_relation_exprt(chr, ID_le, from_integer('~', chr.type())));
-    string_constraintt sc(qvar, s.length(), printable);
-    axioms.push_back(sc);
-  }
+/// Add constraint on characters of a string.
+///
+/// This constraint is
+/// \f$ \forall i \in [start, end), low\_char \le s[i] \le high\_char \f$
+/// \param s: a string expression
+/// \param start: index of the first character to constrain
+/// \param end: index at which we stop adding constraints
+/// \param char_set: a string of the form "<low_char>-<high_char>" where
+///        `<low_char>` and `<high_char>` are two characters, which represents
+///        the set of characters that are between `low_char` and `high_char`.
+/// \return a string expression that is linked to the argument through axioms
+///   that are added to the list
+void string_constraint_generatort::add_constraint_on_characters(
+  const array_string_exprt &s,
+  const exprt &start,
+  const exprt &end,
+  const std::string &char_set)
+{
+  // Parse char_set
+  PRECONDITION(char_set.length() == 3);
+  PRECONDITION(char_set[1] == '-');
+  const char &low_char = char_set[0];
+  const char &high_char = char_set[2];
+
+  // Add constraint
+  const symbol_exprt qvar = fresh_univ_index("char_constr", s.length().type());
+  const exprt chr = s[qvar];
+  const and_exprt char_in_set(
+    binary_relation_exprt(chr, ID_ge, from_integer(low_char, chr.type())),
+    binary_relation_exprt(chr, ID_le, from_integer(high_char, chr.type())));
+  const string_constraintt sc(qvar, start, end, true_exprt(), char_in_set);
+  axioms.push_back(sc);
+}
+
+/// Add axioms to ensure all characters of a string belong to a given set.
+///
+/// The axiom is: \f$\forall i \in [start, end).\ s[i] \in char_set \f$, where
+/// `char_set` is given by the string `char_set_string` composed of three
+/// characters `low_char`, `-` and `high_char`. Character `c` belongs to
+/// `char_set` if \f$low_char \le c \le high_char\f$.
+/// \param f: a function application with arguments: integer `|s|`, character
+///           pointer `&s[0]`, string `char_set_string`,
+///           optional integers `start` and `end`
+/// \return integer expression whose value is zero
+exprt string_constraint_generatort::add_axioms_for_constrain_characters(
+  const function_application_exprt &f)
+{
+  const auto &args = f.arguments();
+  PRECONDITION(3 <= args.size() && args.size() <= 5);
+  PRECONDITION(args[2].type().id() == ID_string);
+  PRECONDITION(args[2].id() == ID_constant);
+  const array_string_exprt s = char_array_of_pointer(args[1], args[0]);
+  const irep_idt &char_set_string = to_constant_expr(args[2]).get_value();
+  const exprt &start =
+    args.size() >= 4 ? args[3] : from_integer(0, s.length().type());
+  const exprt &end = args.size() >= 5 ? args[4] : s.length();
+  add_constraint_on_characters(s, start, end, char_set_string.c_str());
+  return from_integer(0, get_return_code_type());
 }
 
 /// Adds creates a new array if it does not already exists
@@ -472,6 +521,8 @@ exprt string_constraint_generatort::add_axioms_for_function_application(
     res = associate_array_to_pointer(expr);
   else if(id == ID_cprover_associate_length_to_array_func)
     res = associate_length_to_array(expr);
+  else if(id == ID_cprover_string_constrain_characters_func)
+    res = add_axioms_for_constrain_characters(expr);
   else
   {
     std::string msg(
diff --git a/src/util/irep_ids.def b/src/util/irep_ids.def
index ac1f75b7f60..4d4ea1838be 100644
--- a/src/util/irep_ids.def
+++ b/src/util/irep_ids.def
@@ -772,6 +772,7 @@ IREP_ID_ONE(cprover_string_concat_bool_func)
 IREP_ID_ONE(cprover_string_concat_double_func)
 IREP_ID_ONE(cprover_string_concat_float_func)
 IREP_ID_ONE(cprover_string_concat_code_point_func)
+IREP_ID_ONE(cprover_string_constrain_characters_func)
 IREP_ID_ONE(cprover_string_contains_func)
 IREP_ID_ONE(cprover_string_copy_func)
 IREP_ID_ONE(cprover_string_delete_func)
diff --git a/unit/java_bytecode/java_object_factory/gen_nondet_string_init.cpp b/unit/java_bytecode/java_object_factory/gen_nondet_string_init.cpp
index 1225263b824..3d2dc659b3c 100644
--- a/unit/java_bytecode/java_object_factory/gen_nondet_string_init.cpp
+++ b/unit/java_bytecode/java_object_factory/gen_nondet_string_init.cpp
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ SCENARIO(
     WHEN("Initialisation code for a string is generated")
     {
       const codet code =
-        initialize_nondet_string_struct(expr, 20, loc, symbol_table);
+        initialize_nondet_string_struct(expr, 20, loc, symbol_table, false);
 
       THEN("Code is produced")
       {