Printing with mat board frame?

kingbuzzie · May 30, 2017

Sorry if this had been covered before, I did a search but didn't see the answer. Apparently 4 blade easels are stupid expensive and I can't justify the cost for the amount of printing I do. Can I just make some mat board frames (two three sizes) and print right on my enlarger base using that as the mask? Perhaps even tape some weight to the frame to hold the paper better? I guess the biggest problem would be the alighment of the paper (maybe taping some guidelines on the enlarger base?).

tedr1 · May 30, 2017

Yes that will work. If you print on paper slightly larger than the finished size and then trim the dry print to size the alignment doesn't even need to be exact. My "easel" for 16x20 size is a modified picture frame that comes apart (four metal sections with four corner pieces) the narrow lip of the frame holds the paper flat.

kingbuzzie · May 30, 2017

tedr1 said:
Yes that will work. If you print on paper slightly larger than the finished size and then trim the dry print to size the alignment doesn't even need to be exact. My "easel" for 16x20 size is a modified picture frame that comes apart (four metal sections with four corner pieces) the narrow lip of the frame holds the paper flat.

I thought it would be fine. I don't want to trim right now (I don't have a trimmer), but I like the white border on my prints.

NedL · May 30, 2017

I've made several in the style of a hinged window mat. The base is cut to the same size as the paper and then a window mat is hinged with tape along one side. I almost always end up taping ( w/ blue painter's tape ) the edges to the baseboard so that there are no places where light leaks under the window edge.... I like your good idea of adding some weight.

jeffreyg · May 30, 2017

I use adjustable easels but since you are thinking about making something what about getting magnetic sheets (the material for things we put on our refrigerators), cut out your windows, have a metal sheet for the base and you have a more durable set than from mat board. If you got a 24x24 sheet you could make several from the cutouts ie a 16x20, 11x14 and 8x10 from one sheet plus one sheet of metal for the largest size. Mark the metal sheet to register the other sizes.

http://www.jeffreyglasser.com/

mgb74 · May 30, 2017

I just had a piece of mat board cut for this purpose to use on an enlarger where my 4 blade easel won't fit. It's 8x10 black (included inside) mat with a 6x8 window. I'm thinking of using it with an 8x10 borderless easel, but haven't tried it yet.

MattKing · May 30, 2017

A metal base, plus magnets on the arms will help keep the arms in place.
You can even buy metallic paint, which would be perfect for the base.
That being said, what sizes of paper are you seeking to print on? Even the 2 bladed easels may be easier to use than a home-made easel.
I use a 16x20 2 bladed easel (plus a couple of magnets) when I do 16x20 print.

kingbuzzie · May 30, 2017

MattKing said:
A metal base, plus magnets on the arms will help keep the arms in place.
You can even buy metallic paint, which would be perfect for the base.
That being said, what sizes of paper are you seeking to print on? Even the 2 bladed easels may be easier to use than a home-made easel.
I use a 16x20 2 bladed easel (plus a couple of magnets) when I do 16x20 print.

I have a very old 2 blade easel (free) but it is cumbersome and doesn't fit well on my enlarger base (my enlarger is in the corner due to space constraints). I have a durst 606, so I can crop via the negative holder.

MattKing · May 30, 2017

Don't forget that there are four different ways that an easel can be oriented under the enlarger.
You can also tape mat board to an easel and its arms.

adelorenzo · May 30, 2017

With mat board the edge might not be as crisp as a metal blade. I wonder if there would be a bit of texture from the cut that shows up.

Also how expensive are easels really? I have a half dozen or so adjustable easels all of which were free, including one of the really nice LPL four-blade ones which I use daily.

kingbuzzie · May 30, 2017

adelorenzo said:
With mat board the edge might not be as crisp as a metal blade. I wonder if there would be a bit of texture from the cut that shows up.

Also how expensive are easels really? I have a half dozen or so adjustable easels all of which were free, including one of the really nice LPL four-blade ones which I use daily.

Look on fleabay and see for yourself. I spent less money getting my canon t90 refurbished! Not only are they expensive, they are often not in that great of shape and the shipping is expensive. I do check craigslist from time to time.

M Carter · May 31, 2017

I do this all the time, especially since I sometimes do paper-plane masking and the register pins won't work with an easel. (I have a 4-blade 11x14, can't bring myself to spend the $300-$400 for a 16x20). I use black "poster board" which is really like construction paper, I cut it with a new exacto blade so there's no roughness. I do have a drafting table and t-square so I can cut pretty precisely.

I got two aluminum framing angles - like big L-shaped metal rulers - to hold it flat. I hinge it with tape, on the long side away from me and handle it carefully. Done plenty of 16x20 prints that way with 1/2" borders, works fine if you're methodical.

mike c · Jun 1, 2017

There is also Speed Easels that are inexpensive they are made for a specific size's though.

RalphLambrecht · Jun 1, 2017

kingbuzzie said:
Sorry if this had been covered before, I did a search but didn't see the answer. Apparently 4 blade easels are stupid expensive and I can't justify the cost for the amount of printing I do. Can I just make some mat board frames (two three sizes) and print right on my enlarger base using that as the mask? Perhaps even tape some weight to the frame to hold the paper better? I guess the biggest problem would be the alighment of the paper (maybe taping some guidelines on the enlarger base?).

Sure show us when done!

Ian Grant · Jun 1, 2017

It's what I've done for many years when making prints larger than my Beard pint easel, really easy and works perfectly. I just use whatever's handy to weigh the edges down, and use blu-tack to stop the bottom board from slipping.

Ian

~andi · Jun 1, 2017

There's another trick for positioning the paper: Get a anti-slip rubber mat, like the ones put under carpets. Cut it to the size of your paper and position it on the baseboard. It won't skid. Then put the paper on it, which will not skid either. Then your mat over it.

Andi

Printing with mat board frame?

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