phototypsetting

Phototypsetting, also known as photocomposition or cold type, is a printing method that uses photography to set type. Instead of using metal letters, characters are photographed onto film or paper. This process emerged as a successor to hot metal typesetting, where molten lead was used to create individual letterforms. Phototypsetting offered several advantages, including greater flexibility in typeface design, the ability to manipulate character size and spacing more easily, and a significant reduction in the weight and complexity of the typesetting equipment.

The technology typically involved a machine that projected characters from a negative onto a photosensitive surface. This surface could be film or paper, which would then be processed to create the final type elements. These elements could then be arranged and pasted up to form the pages of a publication. Phototypsetting was widely adopted in the printing industry from the mid-20th century until the rise of digital desktop publishing and laser printing. It played a crucial role in making typography more accessible and cost-effective for a wide range of printed materials.