An imagesetter is an ultra-high resolution large-format computer output device. It exposes sheets of either photographic film or bromide paper to a laser light source. Once the film or paper is developed, a very high quality black and white image is revealed. Development (processing) usually occurs in a unit separate to the imagesetter, as does raster image processing.

Imagesetter setter output ranges in width; usually between 12 and 44 inches. The resolution of an imagesetter is typically between 1200 and 4800 dpi.

The imagesetter has been largely superseded by the platesetter.

Uses of an imagesetter

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Output on film

The primary purpose of the imagesetter was to image film that then got used to expose lithography plates used in offset printing. It is in this function that the imagesetter is superseded by the platesetter.

Imagesetter film still however provides the highest quality exposure for other photo-repro printing processes, such as screen printing.

While an imagesetter is a roll-fed device, very similar sheetfed derivatives of the imagesetter and film are also still used in medical imaging for printing MRI and CT scan films.

Imagesetter film is a silver halide coated plastic film very similar to normal black & white photographic film, except the spectral sensitivity is reduced to a much narrower band around the output of the laser of the individual imagesetter. This allows the film to be handled under a (usually green) safelight condition.

Output on bromide paper

The use of bromide paper instead of film in an imagesetter allows it to produce paper output called bromides. Bromides are similar to ordinary laser prints but with four major differences.

• The output can be much bigger
• The output is of much higher resolution
• The black is darker, and is of much more consistent colour
• The cost is approximately 100 times that of an equivalent laser print.

The main use of bromides is for proofing documents before expensive lithography plates are made. Proofing on bromide paper is much easier than film given that it doesn't require backlighting. Because of the uptake of platesetters, this function of imagesetters is diminished although not eliminated due to the use of proofing printers instead.

Bromide paper is very similar to black & white photographic paper, except the backing is much thinner, and like imagesetter film is of diminished spectral sensitivity.

Printing | Printmaking