Since printing full color gum prints uses multiple negatives (Cyan, Magenta and Yellow), a system for registering is required.
I start with the Cyan negative first (since it prints the darkest) by cutting off the four corners of the negatives.
Next, I lay the Cyan negative on top of the Magenta negative on a light table and then, with a Lupe, I line up the registration marks.
Working from opposite corners, I tape each corner of the Cyan negative to the Magenta negative after they are aligned.
Using a pushpin, I punch a hole in the center of each registration mark.
The Cyan negative is now registered to the Magenta negative. I then remove the Cyan negative and repeat the procedure with the Yellow negative. Once all three negatives are registered, the next step is to register the negatives to the paper. I usually start printing with the Magenta layer followed by the Yellow negative and finally the Cyan negative. I place the Magenta layer on the sized paper and, working from opposite corners, punch a hole through the negative’s pre-punched registration marks into the paper.
I tape the negative to the paper and remove the pushpins.
Now I’m ready to place the print with the attached negative into the contact-printing frame.
