Film & darkroom
Paper developer and film developer are not labels to swap
Use chemistry specified for the material.
A darkroom bench can contain developers intended for different tasks.
Identify the intended use
Read the exact product label and technical sheet for film or paper compatibility. Keep the bottles clearly separated. ILFORD’s printing guide describes a paper-processing workflow; a familiar film-development time is not a substitute for those material-specific instructions. Do not experiment on an important image using an unknown bath.
Evidence: Manufacturer guidance
Prepare the correct record
Write the selected paper, chemistry and documented conditions in the run sheet. Mark prepared solutions clearly and keep waste separate. If a bottle cannot be identified reliably, resolve that uncertainty before exposing the paper rather than using appearance or smell to guess its purpose.
Sources & further reading
Sources for the specific facts and product descriptions above. Our worked examples, interpretations and practical suggestions are original editorial guidance.
- ILFORD PHOTO — preparing to printManufacturer guidance