The printing method involves the use of a photographic copier with a lighting system (1) which has a number of individually controllable areas with which the density values of the negative (9) can be determined. The areas can be controlled for illuminating the light sensitive material so that an unsharp mask (14) of the negative is generated. The size of the mask depends generated on the distance of the mask from the negative and the magnification factor of the lens. A sensor can be used to determine the magnification factor of the lens. If the distance between lighting system and the negative is preset the mask size can be determined from the lens magnification and, conversely, if the mask size is preset the distance is determined by the lens magnification
