fototypsättningens

Fototypsättning, also known as phototypesetting or photocomposition, was a typesetting method used in the printing industry that employed photographic techniques to create images of type characters. This process largely replaced traditional hot metal typesetting, where characters were cast in molten metal. In phototypsetting, a negative or positive image of each character was stored on a disc or film. When a character was selected, light was shone through its image and projected onto a light-sensitive material, such as photographic paper or film. This exposed the character onto the material, forming the text.

The technology behind phototypsetting evolved significantly. Early systems were relatively slow and manual, requiring operators to select characters from a keyboard. As technology advanced, phototypesetting machines became more automated and faster, with some even using cathode ray tubes (CRTs) to display characters digitally before projecting them. This allowed for a wider range of fonts and sizes to be produced with greater precision. The output of a phototypesetting machine was then used to create printing plates for offset lithography or other printing methods.

Phototypsetting offered several advantages over hot metal typesetting. It was faster, quieter, and produced sharper, more consistent characters. It also allowed for greater flexibility in design and layout, including the easy use of different typefaces and sizes. However, the process required chemical processing of photographic materials and was eventually superseded by digital typesetting technologies, such as laser printers and digital imagesetters, which offered even greater speed, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness. The transition to digital technology occurred throughout the late 20th century, making phototypsetting largely obsolete.