handtyped

handtyped is a term used to describe text that has been created by manually pressing keys on a typewriter or a keyboard, as opposed to being printed or generated by other means. Historically, typewriters were the primary tool for handtyping, producing documents with a distinct mechanical appearance. The advent of computers and electronic keyboards largely replaced typewriters, but the concept of handtyping remains the same: the physical act of inputting characters one by one.

The term can also refer to a specific aesthetic associated with typewritten or early computer-generated text. This aesthetic might include imperfections like uneven spacing, ink smudges, or the characteristic font of a particular typewriter. In digital contexts, handtyped might be used colloquially to describe text that appears deliberately unformatted or to evoke a sense of personal, direct communication. It contrasts with digitally formatted text that might use various fonts, sizes, and layouts. The process of handtyping requires a direct user interaction with the input device, distinguishing it from automated text generation or digital printing processes that do not involve the user's physical keystroke for each character.