Paper Processing
Processing paper follows the same general sequence as film, with of course, some variation. The most critical element is time, so you should pay strict attention to time. The solutions should be at 70º F, but there’s a bit more latitude here, say 67-73º. Agitation is always continuous. THESE TIMES ARE FOR RESIN-COATED (RC) PAPER. See this chart for fiber-based.
| Step | Chemistry | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Develop | Dektol 1:2 | 2 minutes |
| Stop | Stop Bath | 1 minute |
| Fix 1 | Fixer | 2 minutes |
| Fix 2 | Fixer | 2 minutes |
| Rinse | Water | in tray, before putting in print washer |
| Wash 1 | Water | 3-5 minutes, in print washer |
| Wash 2 | Water | 1 minute, in tray |
| Squeegee | before hanging to dry | |
Notes
- Trays should always be arranged left to right in the order of processing: developer, stop, fix, fix, wash.
- Check the chemistry before you begin. If you don't know how old the developer is (or it is brown), mix fresh. The stop bath should be distinctly yellow. If it is clear or purplish, replace. If the stop bath looks good, test the first fix bath with hypo-check. If the stop bath is bad, or the first fix bath tests bad, move the SECOND fix bath to the first position, and put fresh in the second position. For all chemistry, use enough to get about 3/4 inch of solution in a tray (for 8 x 10 trays, that's about a liter).
- When you dilute the developer for use, set the wall timer to one hour. At the end of the hour, check the developer. It will exhaust itself (by oxidation) in about two hours, so don't use the same developer longer than that.
- Let others know when you get ready to change the developer. If someone is in the middle of a print, they should finish that print, so the same developer is being used. This is to maintain consistency.
- The second wash should be done in the studio, just prior to hanging to dry. This is to assure a good wash, and each print should be done individually. Remember, when someone puts a print full of fix in the same wash bath as your print in the darkroom, it will get fix on it as well.
- Shut everything off in the darkroom when you are finished. Cover the stop and fix baths. Clean up after yourself.
