A contact print is a photographic reference print created by placing a negative directly onto photographic paper and exposing it to light, producing an image that is the same size as the negative. This method is widely used for proofing, selecting the best exposures, and creating archival-quality prints from large or medium format negatives. Contact prints offer precise detail and accurate tonal reproduction, making them an essential technique in darkroom photography for evaluating negatives before enlarging or producing final prints.