Film Clips

Overview

Film dries under tension. Hang a strip from one clip with nothing at the bottom and it curls, and a curled negative is difficult to print and almost impossible to scan flat. A weighted clip at the bottom pulls the strip straight and holds it there.

Stainless steel is the only sensible material. A plated or painted clip will corrode in the damp atmosphere of a drying cabinet and leave rust marks on the film — permanent, and in the worst possible place.

The clip should grip the film on the edge, not over the image area, and it should not have sharp teeth. A clip that punctures the emulsion leaves a physical hole and a stress point that will crack later.

What it does well

• Weighted clips keep strips straight so they print and scan flat
• Stainless steel will not rust or mark the film
• Edge grip avoids damaging the image area
• Also used to hang prints on a drying line
• Cheap and effectively permanent

Safety notes

Working notes

• Hang strips with the leader end up and clip the very edge, outside the frame area.
• Space strips at least 5 cm apart so they do not touch while wet.
• Never dry film with heat — dust bakes into the emulsion and grain clumps.
• Rinse clips in fresh water and dry them before storing.

Compatible with