Contact paper is a type of photographic printing paper used exclusively for contact printing, where the negative is placed directly onto the paper to create a print of the same size. Typically coated with a slow-speed silver chloride emulsion, contact paper produces sharp, detailed images with fine tonal gradation. This method is ideal for creating proof prints, archival-quality images, or working with large-format negatives, allowing photographers to achieve precise control over exposure and print quality in the darkroom.