Frilling is the wrinkling or separation of the photographic emulsion along the edges of its support material, such as film or photographic paper. This defect can affect the appearance and quality of images, particularly near the borders.
Frilling often occurs due to uneven drying, poor adhesion, or exposure to humidity and temperature changes. Understanding frilling is important for photographers and darkroom technicians to prevent damage, maintain image quality, and ensure that both prints and negatives remain smooth and free from unwanted distortions.