Abstract: Disclosed is a plotter for recording information on a light sensitive medium by modulating a laser beam incident on the medium. Data is processed into digital light modulation signals, and corresponding control signals deflect the modulated light beam to scan the medium transversely while sweeping a high resolution raster perpendicular to the scan direction. In a method disclosed, data is processed in a preselected raster format. Instructions and parameters are determined for modulating a laser light beam according to the data thus presented, and deflecting the modulated light beam to intersect a recording medium. All raster combinations possible in the selected data format are constructed and stored in advance of data presentation, as is the appropriate time scan control information. Information is then recorded on the medium in transverse scans, each scan being structured of a relatively large number of lateral raster lines composed of dots whose intensities correspond to the original data.