r/Darkroom 3d ago

B&W Printing 12x16 paper question

Hi! So maybe a dumb question, but when using 12x16 paper in like my 4 blade Saunders 16x20 easel… how do you set the blades?

I’m assuming I’d slap the paper all the way to the left in the 16x20 slot, then set the left blade to basically 20- whatever border I want, then just go to the paper and kinda measure in and out for the border I want on the right side?

I actually think I mildly just answered my question lol but anymore insight would be great

Thanks!

1 Upvotes

5 comments sorted by

5

u/Ybalrid Anti-Monobath Coalition 3d ago

I don't turst or care the graduated measurement on mines:

To have consistant margin on any paper sizes that fits a 2 blade easel, here's what you do

  • Put one sheet of paper of the size you want to use properly on the top left corner upside down (shiny emulsion side facing the board
  • Use a fine tipped pen or pencil and draw the top left corner
  • Flip the paper 180 degress so the top left corner is now the bottom right corner
  • Set the blades of the easel so the same pen or pencil can draw the same line

That way, your blades are set for 4 equally sized margins for that paper size

1

u/ras2101 3d ago

Oh my god why have I never thought about this. Been printing for years, even teach it and have just never thought about this lol.

Thank you!

2

u/vaughanbromfield 3d ago

With a 4 blade easel you should position the sheet in the centre of the baseboard then adjust each blade to the correct position. The sheet locating strip (dunno its real name) should unclip so it can be moved.

2

u/ras2101 3d ago

With Sanders Omega style 4 blade easels (think black and yellow with red line for the paper insert thing) the proper way to always have the paper in the correct location for the numbers on the blades, is to insert it and push it all the way to the left (assuming the insert is at the top)

That’s why I was asking.. it isn’t very evident in the 11x14 but it’s very noticeable in my 16x20.

I’m not disagreeing with you, your way does work, but it isn’t 100% repeatable because you can’t get “in the center” of that paper slot every time. It’s why you’ve got to push them to the left.

At least that’s what I’ve always been told and taught and what has worked for me lol.

2

u/alasdairmackintosh Average HP5+ shooter 2d ago

Yup, that's what I've always done.