Complete Print Development Process
The treatment of the photographic print, especially where intended for long preservation, follows a sequence more elaborate than that employed for film. This guide sets forth the entire succession.
The treatment of photographic paper follows, in its logic, that of film, but departs from it in certain supplementary stages, made necessary by the different nature of the support; especially where fibre-based paper is concerned, which is inclined to retain chemical residues within its fibrous structure far more than film does. We set forth below the entire sequence, illustrating the reasoning behind each stage, so that the operator does not find themselves following a list of operations without understanding their purpose.
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The Complete Sequence, Stage by Stage
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1) Development (3-6 min).
Generally carried out in a tray, in plain sight, so that the operator may directly observe the formation of the image and judge the moment to halt it.
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2) Stop (1 min).
Abruptly halts the developer's action, protecting the subsequent fixing bath from alkaline contamination.
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3) First Fix (1-2 min).
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4) Rinse (1 min).
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5) Second Fix (1-2 min).
Professional practice prescribes a double fixing bath: the first, already partly spent from previous use, does the greater part of the work; the second, always fresh, completes its action, ensuring every trace of undeveloped silver halide is removed. Once the first bath is exhausted, the second takes its place, and a fresh fixer occupies the position of the second. The brief intermediate rinse prevents the first fixer, already laden with by-products, from contaminating the second.
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6) Wash (10-30 min, necessary for subsequent toning).
A stage of capital importance for paper, even more than for film, fibre-based paper being particularly prone to retain fixer residues within its fibrous structure; an insufficient wash will irremediably compromise the print's preservation over time. The time varies considerably according to the support: resin-coated paper requires far shorter times than fibre-based paper.
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7) Toning (1-8 min, optional).
For whosoever desires a change in the colour of the silver image, or an increase in its stability over time.
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8) Rinse (5 min).
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9) Washing Aid (10 min).
An intermediate bath that favours the subsequent removal of residual fixer from the structure of the paper, considerably reducing the final washing time otherwise required.
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10) Final Wash (30-60 min).
The concluding wash, bringing the print to a level of purity suited to long-term preservation. Once again, the time depends on the type of support: fibre-based paper requires the longer time, for the same reasons already set forth.
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11) Stabilizer.
A final bath, where employed according to the manufacturer's recommendations, intended to offer supplementary protection against oxidation of the silver image.
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A Note on Simplification
Whosoever does not require museum-grade archiving may legitimately limit themselves to the essential sequence (development, stop, fixing, washing), omitting the double fix, toning, washing aid, and stabilizer. The stages set forth here in full represent the highest degree of care, not an obligation for every photographic practice.