Intro to Black & White Printing Paper Contrast

Have you looked at the various types of paper choices for your prints? Want to have greater control over your printing results? Then have a look at the various types of papers offering differing contrast methods. Maybe you could be using a more appropriate paper for your prints and achieving higher quality.

Printing papers come in one of these contrast states:

1. Fixed grade
2. Graded
3. Multi-grade

1. Fixed Grade

Fixed graded papers are historically how the first printing papers were supplied. Fixed grade means the paper has no contrast latitude built in; the photographer has to produce negatives to print at this contrast level or the photograph cannot be printed successfully. These papers are generally fixed at grade 2 level; what is now considered to be average or normal grade with many papers.

Some fibre papers are still manufactured in fixed grades. They are generally papers of extreme high quality and your negatives have to be processed to match the paper's contrast rating. If your negatives are not matching the paper's contrast rating, you will need to modify your development system to compensate.

2. Graded

Graded papers are manufactured with a contrast range measured in stops from grade 0 to 5. This gives the photographer a 6 stop contrast range to work with. Grade 2 or 3 is considered being normal depending on the manufacturer.

With graded papers, it is still the objective of the photographer to target grade 2. But if your negatives miss grade 2, there is always latitude to compensate for error by changing grade in either direction.

Apart from assisting with contrast adjustments, graded paper can be used for special effects or emotional responses. The lower the grade of the paper, the softer the image will be. The higher the grade of paper, the harder the image will be.

3. Multi-grade

Multi-grade paper in concept is similar to fixed grade, except this paper allows you to vary your grade by use of acetate filter kits or by dial-in filtering on a dichroic color head on the enlarger. The paper itself is not graded; the filters create the grade of contrast.

If using dial-in filters the contrast range is infinitely variable. To find the enlarger filter combinations, you need to check the specifications that come with your brand of paper.

Filter kits must match the paper you are using. If using Ilford paper, you must use an Ilford Filter Kit. The kits generally come in grades 0 to 5 and include half stop increments.

These filters degenerate over time and must be replaced with a new set. A good way to measure your filter kit is in optimum working condition is to purchase two sets at the same time. Only use one and store the other, keeping it in pristine condition. Use the stored kit to compare with the working set. Any deviation with contrast settings, you will know it's time to buy a new working set.

Both fibre and resin coated papers are available in these forms. RC tends to be only available in the multi-grade form.

Choose a paper system that is most appropriate for your particular work and get to know the system. Having a competent grasp of paper contrast will improve the quality of your prints enormously.