1. a machine or device used in printing and typesetting to expose film or photographic material with text or images for the production of printing plates
Usage: technical; printing industry; largely historical; technology has been largely superseded by digital printing methods

Examples

• The filmsetter was an essential piece of equipment in the print shop before digital technology became standard.
• Operators trained on the filmsetter had to understand both mechanical and photographic principles.
• The filmsetter could produce high-quality film negatives for offset printing plates.
• Many printing companies invested heavily in filmsetters during the 1970s and 1980s.
• The transition from filmsetters to direct-to-plate technology revolutionized the printing industry.