TRIMMING PRINTS Prints are trimmed, or cut down, partly to get rid of bare or rough edges, and partly to cut away those outside parts of the picture that are not required. A good method of deciding just how much of a print should be retained is to cut two L-shaped pieces of cardboard and adjust those on the print so that they form a rectangle including just the portion required. This is marked with pencil and the print trimmed accordingly.
The actual cutting may be accomplished with no more elaborate apparatus than a sharp knife, a steel straight-edge, and a sheet of glass or zinc to cut upon. In addition, a T-square or set square must be used to secure accurate right angles. Although prints are generally trimmed dry, it is sometimes required to cut them while wet, and for this purpose a wheel trimmer must be used.
Trimming is greatly facilitated by employing one of the many machines made for the purpose. These usually take the form of
ally fitted with a scaled rule to assist in cutting to given dimensions. Rectangularity is of course secured automatically. Other apparatus is made for cutting circular prints of different diameters. Cutting shapes are also made, par ticularly for ovals.
Quite apart from the mechanical trimming of prints, much judgment and taste is demanded in deciding just how much of a print shall be cut away to secure the best result. There should be no hesitation in sacrificing all that hinders, rather than helps, the proportion, composition, and concentration of the subject. However care fully arranged on the plate, few prints do not gain by judicious subsequent pruning.
Synonyms, carbazo tic acid, picric acid. C6112 (NO2)30H. Molecular weight, 229. It is obtained by dropping carbolic acid into nitric acid, and its salts are explosive. It is in the form of yellow crystals, which are very bitter to the taste. It is used principally as a dye.