A contact printer is a device used to create contact prints by holding the negative and photographic paper in close, precise contact while exposing them to light. Equipment can range from simple contact printing frames to more sophisticated boxes with built-in safe lighting, timers, and even diffusion mechanisms. Contact printers ensure accurate alignment, consistent exposure, and high-quality results, making them essential tools for darkroom photographers who want precise, same-size prints from negatives, proofing sheets, or large-format images.