Technical Information from The Photographers Centre
NOTES ON BLACK AND WHITE PRINTING PAPERS

Printing paper may be categorised in a number of different ways.
There are two different paper bases which effect the way that the papers are processed.

  • 1. Resin Coated paper.
  • 2. Fibre Based paper.

Resin Coated paper is quick to process because it has a plastic coating which means that chemicals are not absorbed into the surface of the paper.
Processing times are typically:

  • Develop ................................ 11/2 minutes
  • Stop Bath ............................ 1/2 minute
  • Fix ...................................... 2 minutes
  • Wash in running water .......... 3 minutes

Fibre Based paper is uncoated and so absorbs chemicals which take progressively longer to take effect and then longer to wash out.
Processing times are typically:

  • Develop ........................................... 3 minutes
  • Stop Bath ........................................ 1/2 minute
  • Fix ......(hypam 1:9) ......................... 4 minutes
  • or Fix ......(hypam 1:4) ..................... 1 minute
  • Wash in running water ..................... 1 hour
(Washing time can be reduced by using a 'wash-aid')
Washing of fibre based paper is important and care must be taken that fix is not introduced into the washing water. This means that ideally a batch of prints should be washed separately counting the 1 hour washing period from the time the last print enters the wash water. Putting other prints from the fix tray into the water at a later stage will introduce fix to partly washed prints and require the 1 hour wash time to commence again.
Care should be taken with all printing papers as they can be damaged by rough handling. Fibre based paper is more easily damaged than Resin coated. Care should be taken to handle paper only with clean dry hands. Even a small amount of fix on your fingers when transferred to undeveloped paper will leave white marks on the print after processing. When ever possible use tongs not fingers when processing paper.

Paper comes in different grades. The grade of a paper indicates its contrast. The higher the contrast the more black/white the print - low contrast shows a greater range of tones. A low number grade (0-11/2) will be softer than grade 2 which in most ranges is 'normal': the higher number grades (21/2 - 5) will give more contrast. Traditionally the contrast of a printing paper was fixed and to achieve higher contrast one had to change to a more contrasty paper. If grade 2 is not giving enough contrast then the answer would be to go and buy a box of grade 3 etc. Most manufacturers produce paper in a number of grades between 0 - 5.

Multigrade or variable contrast paper is now an alternative to fixed grade paper. This paper is coated with two emulsions which allow the contrast of each sheet of paper to be changed by exposing it to different coloured light. In practice this is achieved by using filters positioned between the light source and the paper. Condenser enlargers can use filters placed in a filter drawer or held beneath the lens*. Colour head enlargers have filters built in and can be used to achieve the same effect.
* Filters held below the lens should be those designed for this way of working and must be kept in good condition.

Both fixed grade and Multigrade type papers are made in Resin Coated and Fibre based versions.

Black/white printing paper is made by a number of different manufacturers and most make a range of papers.
The characteristics of papers vary and personal taste will play the biggest part in choice of material.
Some of the variables are:
Fibre based / Resin Coated.
Fixed Grade / Multigrade.
Colour of paper base: white, warm white, cream.
Colour of image: neutral black, warm 'black'.
Surface: Glossy, pearl, matt, semi matt, textured, etc.
Weight: (thickness) single, middle, or double weight.
(R.C. papers are usually mid weight)

The choice of developer will on some papers effect the colour of the image: warm tone developers will give warmer (browner) prints than standard developers.
Paper brands change and giving detailed characteristics for each would be difficult and soon be out of date, so it is left to the individual to find their own preference from the many possibilities on the market.
Copyright (c) The Photographers Centre 1999
The Photographers Centre, Bradninch Place, Gandy Street, Exeter EX4 3LS

Tel: 01392 432617