PURPOSE: To obtain a unit matrix plate, for a photocomposing machine, housing a plurality of different characters in a space for a single character by utilizing a color film printed duplicatedly with characters having different colors respectively.

CONSTITUTION: In a matrix plate for a photocomposing machine wherein an original photocomposed negative is made by projecting and exposing a selected character or the like in a matrix plate 1a, being operated along a revolving or rectangular coordinates, onto a sensitive film 11 by an optical projecting system, one character is formed by transparent dots 21b with same color almost uniformly dotted in a non-transparent base plate 21a and a plurality of characters 22, 23 having different colors are printed duplicatedly and sequentially on the same color film such that each dot 21b, 22b, 23b at mingling portions will neber be duplicated with each other, and thus, the compound matrix plate is formed. A filter 12, passing a light beam having a color same as a corresponding color of a requested character, is put in a projecting beam passageway upon photocomposing, thereby, only the requested character may be printed on the sensitive film 11.