Cropping: Even if the image section of the negative is framed on the easel to show the outside boarder, generally most negative carriers crop a little off the edge. Images framed in this manner are usually better cropped a small amount further by the blades of the easel and when all sides are framed properly produce an image with a sharp boarder around the image. 
 

As well as framing as much as possible of the negative, the blades of the easel can be used to crop sections so only specific sections are printed. This can be used creatively and as a unifying, by for instance producing a series of elongated images.

 

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