Håndsettede

Håndsettede is a term primarily used in the context of traditional printing and typesetting. It refers to the process of manually arranging individual metal letters, known as sorts or type, to form words, lines, and pages of text. This method was the standard for printing from the invention of movable type in the 15th century until the advent of mechanical and later phototypesetting technologies.

The compositor, or typesetter, would select each letter from a type case, a compartmentalized wooden tray containing all the characters of an alphabet, numbers, punctuation, and special symbols. They would then place these sorts into a composing stick, a handheld metal tool that held a single line of text. Once a line was filled, it was transferred to a galley, a larger tray that held multiple lines. After an entire page was composed, it was locked into a forme, a rectangular metal frame, ready for inking and printing.

The skill involved in håndsettede was considerable, requiring speed, accuracy, and a deep understanding of typography and layout. Compositors needed to identify letterforms quickly and place them correctly, ensuring consistent spacing and alignment. Errors could be costly, as correcting a mistake often meant dismantling a portion of the composed text. Despite its labor-intensive nature, håndsettede allowed for great flexibility in design and was central to the dissemination of knowledge and literature for centuries. The term is now largely historical, as modern printing relies on digital processes.