A device used to expose images and text onto photographic film by means of a laser. The film is then fed into a processor which submerges the film into tanks of chemical developer, fixer and then washed in water, before passing under a dryer and emerging as clear film with black images where the laser has exposed the film. As with most photographic film, it must remain in the dark until it has been processed.
The laser is able to produce such fine resolution that extremely detailed images are possible as well as very fine and accurate halftones. The process also ensures that the black elements are very dense.