limantype

Limantype is a term that refers to a specific historical printing technology. It is closely related to and often confused with linotype, but there are distinct differences. Limantype was a composing machine that produced lines of type, much like linotype, but it operated on a somewhat different mechanical principle. It did not cast entire lines of metal slugs from a mold, but rather assembled pre-made individual letter matrices that were then justified and locked into a composing stick. This stick was then transferred to a printing press.

The primary advantage of limantype over earlier methods like hand composition was its speed. It allowed for much faster typesetting, particularly for newspapers and other publications requiring rapid turnaround. However, it was generally considered less efficient and produced a slightly less consistent line of type compared to the slug-casting linotype machine. The matrices used in limantype were individual characters, which could be more prone to wear and misalignment than the solid molds of linotype.

While linotype became the dominant hot-metal typesetting technology for much of the late 19th and 20th centuries, limantype represented an important transitional step. It showcased the potential for mechanical typesetting and influenced the development of later, more advanced machines. Its production was limited, and it is now largely obsolete, replaced by phototypesetting and digital printing technologies. Information on limantype is less abundant than on linotype due to its less widespread adoption and shorter period of commercial relevance.