fototypsætningen

Fototypsætningen, also known as phototypesetting or filmsetting, was a pre-digital method of typesetting used in the printing industry. It involved projecting characters onto photographic film or paper, which would then be used to create printing plates. This process replaced traditional hot metal typesetting, where molten lead was used to cast individual letterforms.

The core principle of fototypsætningen was the optical projection of type. A master font, often a glass disc or strip, contained all the characters of a typeface. Light was shone through these characters, and the resulting image was projected, magnified or reduced as needed, onto a photosensitive medium. This medium was typically a roll of film or paper, which was then developed like a photograph.

Various technologies existed within fototypsætningen. Some machines used cathode ray tubes (CRTs) to display characters, which were then captured by a camera. Others employed rotating discs or strips of characters that were illuminated and projected. The process allowed for greater flexibility in scaling and spacing compared to hot metal.

The output of a fototypsætningen machine was a physical representation of the text, usually on film. This film would then be used in the platemaking process, such as offset lithography, to transfer the image to a printing plate. Fototypsætningen was a significant advancement, offering higher quality, speed, and design flexibility before the widespread adoption of digital typesetting systems. It dominated the commercial printing landscape for several decades.