Detecting Faults in the Film

Print too dark         This is a result of the print being overexposed.
Print too light         This indicates that the print has been underexposed.
Black lines or streaks     These are abrasion marks and are caused by pressure or rubbing. This occurs mostly with glossy paper and can be avoided by ensuring careful handling of unexposed paper.
Grey cast over entire print    This cast is also referred to as fog and is caused by unsafe darkroom illumination. It could also be caused by improperly mixed developer or out-of-date paper.
Round, clear white spots       This is due to air bubbles if the print is developed face down.
Small white spots-     These are usually caused by dust on negative. This can be avoided by ensuring negative is clean.
Small black spots    These are probably caused by dust spots or pinholes in the image.
White fingerprints    This is caused by handling the print with fixer-stained fingers before development. To avoid this fault ensure hands are clean and dry.
Black fingerprints    This is caused by handling the paper with developer-stained fingerprints before development.
Discolouration of print    Areas of pink-purple discolouration on the print is a result of improper fixing of image where those areas undergo further exposure in normal light.
Fading of entire print    Over time this could occur if the image is on fibre based paper and was incompletely fixed or washed. To ensure permanence with resin coated prints it is recommended to use a gold or selenium toner.

It is worth noting that if faults have occurred, the final print can be improved. The spotting technique uses ink to conceal white spots or marks and print finishing bleaches can be used to remove black marks.