Autotypy May 2026

A photograph is taken through a screen (glass or digital) containing a grid of dots.

This screen converts the light intensities of the image into different-sized dots on a printing plate. autotypy

The plate is used in letterpress or offset printing to transfer the dotted image onto paper. Historical Impact A photograph is taken through a screen (glass

Traditional printing presses can only apply ink (black) or not (white). They cannot produce shades of gray. autotypy

By varying the size of the dots—larger dots for dark areas, smaller dots for light areas—a complete range of tones can be simulated. The Mechanism