Developing Trays

Looking to start developing prints and was curious if there is a store bought alternative to buying the speciality film trays or not worth it? Unfortunately don't have a camera store close with any so was curious before ordered online. Thanks for advice.

Walmart, K mart and target have large storage boxes, some shallow enough to be used. I would glue 3 plastic rods the bottom to make it easier to pick up prints. Just make sure that you get boxes heavy enough to be picked up with developer, fix and stop bath and not brake.

I'd go to the thrift store and start looking for glass baking dishes. You can buy used darkroom trays on Ebay, but plastic ones can be contaminated with chemicals.

You gotta think out of the box. I once used 16x20 trays as a litter box.

Mainecoonmaniac said:

You gotta think out of the box. I once used 16x20 trays as a litter box.

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Wait, you used trays as litter boxes, or you bought items being sold as litter boxes for use as trays? As long as they're not being switched between two tasks on a regular basis...

Luckless said:

Wait, you used trays as litter boxes, or you bought items being sold as litter boxes for use as trays? As long as they're not being switched between two tasks on a regular basis...

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No. Of course not. I left for a trip to Chicago for 2 weeks with no one to scoop the litter box. I used several trays to expand the poopage for my cats. Beats having to clean outside of the box.

If the OP is wishing to experiment to see what it is all about then improvising might save a little money. If the intention is to set up a darkroom for long term use then purchasing the right thing is the way to go, with care they last a lifetime.

Mainecoonmaniac said:

You can buy used darkroom trays on Ebay, but plastic ones can be contaminated with chemicals.

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I've bought literally piles of trays from eBay, from 5x7 to 20x24. Some of them are stained, some look new. I've never had a problem with some chemical "contaminating" the plastic and leaking out into my prints. Kind of sounds silly to me, but I'm no chemist. I give them a good scrub with soap and water.

So do you guys just throw trays away every month or something, to prevent this "contamination"?

For the cost of trays on Ebay, seems worth it to me. They're purpose made and have pour spouts. I can't imagine making prints in a heavy pyrex lasagna pan. I'm all for DIY, but some of the sweater box and litter box ideas seem a little extreme, seeing how people are giving stuff away on Craig's list.

My darkroom equipment stuff was downsized for a while when I either had access to a shared darkroom or I wasn't doing darkroom work. When I started up again, I had small trays, but nothing for 11x14. I did use kitty litter trays instead of darkroom trays until I was able to find good 12x16 Paterson trays at a reasonable cost. Since then, careful shopping and the benefits of Craigslist have resulted in more trays than necessary!

tupperware trays wtih lids, they cost about 3$ each
some are 5x7 and are perfect for processing 4x5 film

M Carter said:

I've bought literally piles of trays from eBay, from 5x7 to 20x24. Some of them are stained, some look new. I've never had a problem with some chemical "contaminating" the plastic and leaking out into my prints. Kind of sounds silly to me, but I'm no chemist. I give them a good scrub with soap and water.

So do you guys just throw trays away every month or something, to prevent this "contamination"?

For the cost of trays on Ebay, seems worth it to me. They're purpose made and have pour spouts. I can't imagine making prints in a heavy pyrex lasagna pan. I'm all for DIY, but some of the sweater box and litter box ideas seem a little extreme, seeing how people are giving stuff away on Craig's list.

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I should have clarified what I mean by contaminated. I clearly label all my trays as not to mix them up. I have some pretty gross looking trays that are like old friends. My developer tray that I've used for over 30 years has a nice patina of grayish silver. What I'm worried about cross contamination with trays. Especially using a tray contaminated with fixer used as a developer tray.

Dear JADoss23,

I second tedr1. If this is just getting your feet wet, anything will do. If you are getting serious, you will not regret purchasing Paterson trays. My 11x14 Paterson trays were purchased in 1980. Used ones are fine. Mixing them up is not really an issue. I like to clean mine so they always look close to new but friends that just rinse and let the plastic turn ugly have no trouble.

Just have fun.

Neal Wydra

For 8x10 I use Rubbermaid dishwashing pans for fixer and water baths. Nice and deep. Never had any problems with the plastic but mine are years old so can't comment on the current models. Some of my 11x14 trays are kitty litter pans. These are heavy sturdy ones from years ago. Again never had any problems. I do use Paterson for developer and stop. When I started used equipment wasn't as easy to find as today.

The various big home goods/stationary/art supply chains carry small plastic three-drawer cabinets and the drawers make excellent trays for up to about 8x10, the whole rig is 10 or 15 $'s. Litter trays and similar can work well for larger sizes. Plant starting trays work nicely for tray processing 7x17 film, but you need at least two of them together to get enough stiffness for rocking. Lots of stuff will work, and work well, though do avoid aluminum because it's reactive with much of our chemistry.

Or else the used stuff is available from sources like ebay and, your local Craigslist probably has at least one ad offering darkroom stuff, though I've found the CL listings to be highly variable from jaw dropping bargains to breath-taking hutzpah.

I've never had an issue with contamination from old trays, just give them a good washing and liberal rinsing.
Also, as someone stated, if you're planning to get into this for a while, get the hurt over with and buy some new stuff from one of the usual suspect sources. Clean, matching and purpose made trays aren't essential, but they make life easier and the investment can psych out your head into elevating your game.

I use Poundland (UK) cat litter trays and they have a deep side and take 10x8 print with no problem.

I also use a one tray development system and bin the small amount of chemicals used except fixer at the end of the session.

For small prints, I use plastic boxes meant for storing food leftovers. They cost £1 for six at the local shop and are marked for each chemical to prevent contamination. They're a bit flimsy, but when in use they're all kept in one large tray in case of spills. If I do want to make a large print (which is rare), I can use the large tray on its own, pouring each chemical into the tray in turn.

Paul Howell said:

Walmart, K mart and target have large storage boxes, some shallow enough to be used. I would glue 3 plastic rods the bottom to make it easier to pick up prints. Just make sure that you get boxes heavy enough to be picked up with developer, fix and stop bath and not brake.

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Okay, I've often used plastic dishwashing "tubs" for printing. What sort of glue will last over time?? Kitty litter boxes are large, but again the glue question....

How about hot glue or some of the other sticks you can use in the melting gun. Just hold the rod in place and tack a few spots of glue. Then run a thick bead of glue on both sides of the rod. Should be able to wash this.

Watch craigslist unless you are in a hurry. As others have said, you won't regret buying Patterson. Do you know what size/sizes you need? You might try posting a WTB ad on APUG. I have Patterson, custom built stainless and repurposed trays from other uses. None were bought new by me and all work well. USPlastics.com might offer some options. Bill Barber