"Lettersets" is a term used to describe a specific type of printing technique, which originated in the mid-20th century. It refers to a collection of individual movable type, typically made of metal, that consists of complete alphabets and numerals in various sizes and fonts.
In the past, lettersets were widely used in the printing industry as a practical and efficient way to create text-based documents, such as newspapers, books, and advertisements. They were particularly favored for their versatility, as different lettersets could be easily interchanged in order to achieve different fonts, sizes, or styles within a single document.
The use of lettersets offers several advantages. Firstly, it allows for more flexibility and creativity in typography, enabling designers and printers to experiment with different fonts and layouts. Additionally, lettersets provide a level of accessibility and cost-effectiveness, as they can be reused multiple times and combined to form various combinations of letters and characters.
However, with the advancement of digital technology, lettersets have become relatively obsolete, as they have been largely replaced by computerized typesetting systems. This shift has resulted in greater efficiency and convenience in the printing industry.
In summary, "lettersets" refer to a collection of movable type consisting of alphabets and numerals in different sizes and fonts, commonly used in the mid-20th century for printing text-based documents. Although they have been largely replaced by digital typesetting systems, lettersets were once an essential tool for typographers and printers, offering versatility, creativity, and cost-effectiveness.
