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Home > Photography Techniques > The darkroom > Black-and-white printing > Prepare to make a B&W print

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Prepare to make a B&W print

The first steps

Your most important need in order to make a good B&W print is a B&W negative of a good picture.
Your most important need in order to make a good B&W print is a B&W negative of a good picture.

There are many variations in terms of equipment, materials and technique in making black-and-white prints. The information provided here is basic - suitable for anyone who is starting out to make a print for the first time. More advanced techniques and options in terms of accessories and equipment will be discussed in subsequent pages.

Ensure that all of your equipment and materials are in the darkroom, and the darkroom is tidy. Not sure what you need? See the "Equipment" and "Materials" lists here.


Processing trays - You will need three* processing trays, each of which will fully contain the largest size of photosensitive paper that you wish to print. If the largest size you will be working with is 8" X 10" it can be uneconomical to use trays intended for 16" X 20" prints since you will have to fill them with more chemicals than are necessary.

Label the trays DEVELOPER, STOP BATH and FIXER or simply use the abbreviations DEV, STOP and FIX. Using trays of different colors permits you to assign a color to a chemical (e.g. red tray only for developer), reducing the risk of contamination.

Place the trays on a countertop on the wet side of your darkroom, between the enlarger and the sink. Arrange their order so that the developer tray is closest to the enlarger, the stop bath tray is next to it, and the fixer tray is next. Be sure to leave a few inches between each tray as a safeguard against contamination.

*Note: A better set-up to save chemicals and for improved fixing, if you have the space, is a five-tray system - one each for developer, stop bath, first fixer, second fixer and a water rinse.

Make sure your trays are of an appropriate size for the size of prints you wish to make. Colored trays can help identify chemicals, or you can mark trays to identify their contents.
Make sure your trays are of an appropriate size for the size of prints you wish to make. Colored trays can help identify chemicals, or you can mark trays to identify their contents.

You will need at least two sets of tongs for handling print paper during processing. Colored tongs can be keyed for use with specific chemicals - a further aid to preventing contamination.
You will need at least two sets of tongs for handling print paper during processing. Colored tongs can be keyed for use with specific chemicals - a further aid to preventing contamination.

Tongs and timer - Make sure the print tongs (at least two pairs - one for developer only, and one for general use) are placed nearby, and that your timer, which can be a simple clock with a second hand or a precision darkroom timer, is placed where you can easily see it.


Chemicals - The working temperature of the processing chemicals should be 68F / 20C, give or take a degree. To achieve this when mixing the chemicals, use clean water that has a temperature of about 73F / 23C to offset heat loss in mixing.

The quantity of working chemicals that you mix should provide enough depth in the trays to more than cover the print. The size of your trays therefore will determine how much you require.

Switch on your darkroom ventilation system, ensuring that there is sufficient, continuous airflow through the room and out the exhaust.

Whenever you mix chemicals, think of temperature. Most processing chemicals produce the best results at a specific temperature. Always use a thermometer to check the solution after mixing.
Whenever you mix chemicals, think of temperature. Most processing chemicals produce the best results at a specific temperature. Always use a thermometer to check the solution after mixing.

Developer - Mix the developer solution in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations. Ilford Multigrade developer, for example, should be mixed using a 1 + 9 ratio. This means for every one unit of developer, you use nine units of water. If you require, say 30 ounces of mixed developer, then measure out 3 ounces of developer and add 27 ounces of water for a properly-proportioned solution. If you are using metric measurements, 60 ml of developer plus 540 ml of water will result in 600 ml of developer solution. Fill the tray marked DEV with the mixed solution.

The same principle applies to mixing the stop bath and the fixer. Follow the manufacturer's recommended formula.

Stop bath - If you are using Ilford Ilfostop stop bath, the proper ratio is 1 + 19. To obtain 30 ounces of mixed stop bath, measure out one-and-a-half ounces of Ilfostop and add 28.5 ounces of water. For a 600 ml solution, measure 30 ml of stop bath and add 570 ml of water.

Fixer - If you are using Ilford Rapid Fixer, the proper ratio is 1 + 4. To obtain 30 ounces of mixed fixer, measure out 6 ounces of Rapid Fixer and add 24 ounces of water. For a 600 ml solution, measure 120 ml of Rapid Fixer and add 480 ml of water.

Note that 600 ml of each of the Ilford processing solutions will enable you to process around forty 8" X 10" black-and-white prints using Ilford Multigrade RC paper.


Negative - Select the black-and-white negative that you wish to print, handling it by its edges. Inspect it for dust, and use a puffer brush to carefully remove specks.

Place the negative in the enlarger's negative holder, ensuring that the particular frame you wish to print is fully over the opening. Slide the negative holder into place in the enlarger.

You are now all set to make a black-and-white print. To begin, click on "Making a B&W print."

A puffer or a puffer brush is probably all you need to blow dust off your B&W negatives. Make sure your negatives are dust-free before they go into the enlarger to be printed.
A puffer or a puffer brush is probably all you need to blow dust off your B&W negatives. Make sure your negatives are dust-free before they go into the enlarger to be printed.