Processing B&W prints from a negative using Resin Coated (RC) paper. 

  1. Collect all necessary materials for use while in the darkroom.  Remember, you will not be admitted to the darkroom without your apron and towel.  Make sure that you have your negatives, anti-static brush, paper, opaque sheet of paper or card, contrast filters and grain focusing device.
  2. Select an enlarger and easel then place your other materials in an easy to access order.   Make sure that the timer is in the OFF position and that a previous user did not leave a negative or contrast filter in the enlarger. 
  3. Prepare chemicals.  If no one has done so, turn on the water.  ALWAYS rinse trays and graduates before use.  First, mix the DEKTOL developer, using a 1:3 mixture. (One part DEKTOL -the stock solution in the five gallon tank - to three parts water.  If your are printing 8x10's use 250ml of DEKTOL to 750ml of water for a total of 1000ml of developer solution.
  4. In the tray marked "stop bath only" fill half way with water and one capful of the chemical STOP BATH. 
  5. There should be sufficient fixer in the large tray marked "fixer only".   If the amount in the tray is insufficient to cover your prints see me or the darkroom moderator.
  6. Rinse and dry your hands thoroughly before handling negatives or prints at your enlarger.
  7. Position your negative in the negative carrier.  Never turn ON the enlarger light with the enlarger head in the open position - you will fog all exposed paper near your enlarger.  Return the enlarger to the closed position. 
  8. Place the paper easel in position below the enlarger lens.  To check for focus open the lens aperture to the largest opening and turn on the enlarger light with the FOCUS setting on the enlarger timer.  Adjust the focusing knob of the enlarger to make the negative image as sharp as possible while viewing with the grain focuser placed in the center of the easel.  If you are nearsighted always keep your glasses or contacts on while using any focusing device.
  9. While being very careful not to bump the enlarger, place a #2 1/2 filter in the filter holder,  move the aperture to f8,  set the timer to two (2) seconds - if your are doing a test - or to the appropriate time derived from a previous test for a finished print, and place an unexposed piece of photo paper into the appropriately sized easel.
  10. Return the light switch to the TIME setting.  Expose the print.
  11. Remove exposed print from the easel and place the print into the developer making sure the print is completely covered with DEVELOPER.  During the 1min. 30 sec. developing time make sure to gently agitate the tray constantly.  At the end of the developing time allow the print to drain before placing the print in the...
  12. ...STOP BATH  where the developer is chemically neutralized.   Stop Bath time is 30 seconds.
  13. Drain the stop bath from the print then place the print in the FIXER for 5 minutes.  A test print can be viewed outside of the darkroom after about two (2) minutes.  After complete fixing time the print should be placed in the first rinse tray.
  14. After the print has been FIXED sufficiently and rinsed place the print in the ARCHIVAL PRINT WASHER for twenty (20) minutes.
  15. After complete washing squeegee the print thoroughly before placing the print into the RC PRINT DRYER - never place FB prints in this dryer.  Sufficient drying time should be about five (5) minutes.
  16. Your print is now ready for mounting or matting.