noun
- a machine or device that sets type by exposing photographic film or paper to create printing plates
Usage: printing and typography; largely historical; replaced by digital typesetting
Examples
- The printing shop invested in a new photosetter to speed up the typesetting process.
- Before digital printing became standard, photosetters were essential equipment in every major publishing house.
- The photosetter used light to expose characters onto film, which was then used to create printing plates.
- Operators trained on photosetters had to understand both mechanical and photographic principles.