phototypesetting

Definition:
Before the 1970s, the setting of copy in type for printing was accomplished by a variety of mechanical means. Phototypesetting produced the same results by the transfer of images on to photographic paper, the type characters being stored on a glass disc. The typesetter used a keyboard and video display unit to compose the type, and the typeset material was delivered in made-up form, in one operation, at the end of the process; there was no longer any need to cut-and-paste blocks of type on the ARTWORK. Since the introduction of the new technology, the imaging process has progressed from glass disc through digitized composition to laser technology. The prefix 'photo' is thus no longer an accurate description, and terminology in the printing business, has reverted to 'typesetting'. Special descriptions are now used to distinguish the older methods, which are restricted in practice to unsophisticated users and certain specialized applications.

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[artwork]

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