"Set in type" refers to the process of arranging individual pieces of metal or wooden type in a composing stick or a typesetting machine in order to form words, sentences, or paragraphs that can be printed.
Historically, before the advent of digital printing, every individual letter, character, and symbol had to be physically gathered and arranged in a specific order to create a typographical composition. This process was carried out by skilled typesetters who meticulously selected the required typefaces and sizes from their collection of metal or wooden type.
The term "set in type" encompasses the manual labor involved in carefully placing each individual piece of type into the composing stick or typesetting machine according to the layout and design specifications provided. It includes arranging the letters, spaces, punctuation marks, and any other typographical elements necessary for printing the final document.
Setters would work diligently to ensure that the type was accurately aligned and properly spaced, aiming for a visually pleasing composition that achieved optimal legibility. This meticulous process demanded precision and attention to detail, as any mistakes or inaccuracies would require manual correction and potentially result in further delays or errors.
While digital typesetting has now largely replaced the manual process of setting type, the term "set in type" remains in use to describe the historical craftsmanship involved in the traditional way of producing printed material before the era of computers and digital typography.
