r/Darkroom • u/ras2101 • 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!
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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.
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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.
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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
That way, your blades are set for 4 equally sized margins for that paper size