Contact printing 5x7 negatives on 5x7 paper, with white border

[Daniel Stone]

Oh, regarding the "white border", give this a try:

Tape the negative to the underside of the glass(so it's in contact with the paper, like normal), then use BLACK ELECTRICAL TAPE on the top part of the glass, to act as a mask for the edges. I've done this for 8x10 contact prints, but never for 5x7(most of my 5x7 has been color, so I've been drum scanning it).

So you get nice, evenly spaced lines, draw w/ a fine-point sharpie the lines for the determined "print" size, then put the tape down along that line, so you get it nice and straight.

-Dan

[Larry Kellogg]

What lens and enlarger are you using to project 1:1?

[ic-racer]

What lens and enlarger are you using to project 1:1?

I use a 210mm when projection printing 1:1 8x10 proofs. A 150mm should work also. I actually print a little smaller than 1:1 so I get the white paper border and have the whole negative and rebate in the image area.

[Jim Noel]

I don't think there is an fast/easy way to contact print like that. There is, however, a fast easy way to print 5x7 negatives on 5x7 paper with a white border; what I do is to projection print them at about 1:1 magnification. This gives much more control over the printing process and allows one to make multiple prints without having to worry about dust each time.

The problem with this method is some extremely fine detail and tonality are lost because of the projection. Compare one by yyour current method with a contact print and you will see the difference.

[ic-racer]

The problem with this method is some extremely fine detail and tonality are lost because of the projection.

Come to one of our large format gatherings in Ohio and see fine detail and tonality!

[Vaughn]

Another option: Make a mask and print on 8x10 paper. No need to precisely center paper. Easier to process/handle without damaging the image area...and one can always cut it down to 5x7 later. Easier to flatten.

[Dirk Rösler]

Make sure that the mask paper has the same size as the printing paper. If the mask window is cut precisely and you totally align mask and paper with the negative in it, you get perfect white borders and no black (unless sloppily aligned). I use the thin black backing paper that comes with papers for this...

[John Koehrer]

Take a negative & piece of paper to a craft store or general merchandiser & fit a 5X7 frame.
You may eventually need to make a more permanent back for it or even buy a better piece of glass.
If there's a bit of slop in the frame you can minimize it by making a filler around the edges.

[Mark_S]

I have several of the Saunders quick easels which have a base which is the size of the paper (5x7 in this case), and a 1/4" steel square frame that hinges down to hold down and mask the outer 1/4". My 5x7 version has a bar that can be placed inside to also support 4x5 prints this way.

Very quick and easy.

[Roger Thoms]

How about a vintage 5x7 contact printing frame. Should be perfect since you want to print on 5x7 paper. There are at least 5 on ebay right now or you could post a WTB here in the classified section.

Roger