phototype

A printer examines a phototype plate under bright light.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A printing plate made by a photographic process: "phototype" refers to a metal or other surface used in printing that has been prepared using photographic methods to transfer an image.
   • A photographic print or reproduction: It can also mean the resulting image or copy produced by such a process.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The printer created a phototype for the book's illustrations. (A printing plate made using photography.)
  • This old phototype shows the town square in the 1920s. (A photographic reproduction or print.)

Advanced Usage

• "phototype printing": a method of printing that uses phototypes.
  • Phototype printing was common in the early 20th century for high-quality reproductions. (A specific printing technique.)

Variants and Related Words

• Phototype (adj): relating to or produced by a phototype process.

  • The phototype edition of the map was highly detailed. (Describing the nature of the edition.)

• Phototypography (n): the art or process of printing from phototypes.

  • He studied phototypography at the technical college. (The field of study.)

Synonyms

• Photoengraving: a process similar to phototype, where a plate is etched using photographic methods.
• Photogravure: a different but related photographic printing process.

Related Idioms