Short term paper storage (week to a month)

alex2293 · Sep 9, 2015

Hi guys,

I'm buying the necessary equipment to make some B&W prints using an enlarger, but I have a simple question and I have not found an clear answer on this forum.

If I buy some paper let say 25 8x10 Ilford multigrade RC sheets and only use a few the first time a make prints, how do I store them properly until next time, between a week and a month probably.

Do I absolutely need a paper safe? Or do I just put the sheet in the bag, tape the flap and put the bag back in the original Ilford box?

Thanks a lot guys,

This forum is an almost infinite source of info for a beginner.

dpurdy · Sep 9, 2015

Put the remainders back in the black plastic bag and tape the paper packaging shut. Put it in a drawer or on a shelf somewhere.
Dennis

MattKing · Sep 9, 2015

A paper safe is actually not well named.

It is used for temporary storage while you are in the midst of a printing session. It allows easier and quicker access to paper, not more secure storage.

For almost all storage, you should return the paper to the light tight envelope/bag, fold the flap over, do something to keep it folded, and then return that envelope/bag to the box.

I use painter's tape to both keep the flap on the light tight envelope/bag folded over, and to keep the box from popping open if it should be dropped.

The paper safe stays empty between sessions.

NedL · Sep 10, 2015

Learn something every day. I've never put tape on the black plastic envelope, just folded it over and put it back in the box. A piece of tape is a good idea.

Once you are done with the paper, the black plastic bags are useful for various things... I use them to keep cut sheet film, I usually put my used rolls of 120 film in one while awaiting development, and when one of my bulk loaders developed a slow leak the problem was solved by sticking it in one of those bags between uses ( took me a while to narrow down that the light leak was from the loader... it didn't happen if the loader didn't sit for a while between loading... )

tkamiya · Sep 10, 2015

As far as paper storage is concerned, no special pre-cautions are necessary. Stored in the bag and box they came in or in a paper safe, it will stay fine for years.

My tendency is to keep everything in the factory envelope and box, and in a sealed plastic bag. I store that in my refrigerator. What I intend to use within few months are in paper safe in darkroom. I also make use of masking tape across the latch of the paper safe. It prevents from accidental opening and a dummy (ME) from opening it without first turning the lights off. It is a physical and mental reminder to myself. It actually saved me several times from ruining a stash in fraction of seconds.

tkamiya · Sep 10, 2015

As far as paper storage is concerned, no special pre-cautions are necessary. Stored in the bag and box they came in or in a paper safe, it will stay fine for years.

My tendency is to keep everything in the factory envelope and box, and in a sealed plastic bag. I store that in my refrigerator. What I intend to use within few months are in paper safe in darkroom. I also make use of masking tape across the latch of the paper safe. It prevents from accidental opening and a dummy (ME) from opening it without first turning the lights off. It is a physical and mental reminder to myself. It actually saved me several times from ruining a stash in fraction of seconds.

Paper safes are not necessary. But by the time you go through your first pack of paper, you'd be wishing you had one. It gets tiring really fast for having have to take the bag out to take the paper out, then having have to make sure the bag is folded and cannot accidentally open up EVERY TIME you make an exposure. I don't know where in the world you are, but in US, they can be obtained very inexpensively. (shows up on APUG classified fairly often)

Sirius Glass · Sep 10, 2015

I put the paper back in the plastic bag and the plastic bag back in the box. The box is placed in the darkroom where only opened boxes of photographic papers are kept. Since I am the only one with access to the darkroom there is not need to tape the box closed nor is there a reason to label the box.

MattKing · Sep 10, 2015

One thing to keep in mind is that different people are dealing with different circumstances, and their advice will reflect those circumstances.

My darkroom is a temporary darkroom that needs to be set up and taken down each time I print.

Some people work out of shared darkrooms, and have to transport their paper regularly.

And some lucky souls have dedicated darkrooms, with excellent paper use and storage facilities.

I use a variety of papers and sizes, and have one main paper safe. Others may use fewer papers, and/or may have more than one paper safe.

And about that tape on the envelope - I use it because I'm often moving the boxes of paper from place to place, and if I were to have it slip out of my hand .....

paul_c5x4 · Sep 10, 2015

If you end up using a papersafe, put a sticky label on and make a note of what is inside the safe. I wish I had started doing this, as I now have several safes containing papers that I can't identify.

M Carter · Sep 10, 2015

The main thing is to protect paper from extreme heat (and of course, light). Just folding the black bag closed and sticking in the envelope box is pretty secure, tape it if you're concerned.

My darkroom has various kitchen cabinets and counters. I painted a large drawer flat black inside, and added a gasketed, hinged door to the top of the drawer, so when I close the drawer it seals it light tight. Works stupendously well for up to 11x14 or so. I just load it up with the papers I'm using that session. And it gets any undeveloped trims and scraps to throw into fresh lith developer. Probably the simplest & handiest DIY I've done. Someday one of the bigger drawers will get converted to 16x20.

Paul Howell · Sep 10, 2015

I use paper safes, up to 11X14, larger paper in original packaging. I have 6 safes, one with 4 shelf's, all seem to light safe for long term storage. Use masking tape to label what paper, date bought, expiration date and OC or Red. I still have few sheets of Slavich SW # 4 which is red light safe. I remember when all 6 safes had different papers, now Foma 2 and 3, VC and what is left my Slavich.

For long term storage I freeze.

pentaxuser · Sep 10, 2015

Is there any evidence that a paper-safe isn't light tight enough compared to the black bag in which the paper comes?

I'd have thought that if the paper-safe is safe to use over a printing session of,say, several hours then it is safe over several days/weeks/months. It either leaks in which case it shouldn't be used at all or it is safe.

Or is it only safe when loaded under safelight and then unloaded under the same safelight i.e. under no circumstances should paper in a paper-safe ever be stored in normal room-light?

If it is the latter then unless everyone who uses one, loads into and unloads paper from the safe in safe-light conditions I'd have expected to see a whole raft of complaints and frankly the product to have been dropped years ago.

pentaxuser

Sirius Glass · Sep 10, 2015

A bigger problem is someone opening the paper safe when the room is not dark. That is why, even though others do not have access, I put a weight and an sign on the paper safe when I am not using the darkroom. I avoid using the paper safe when I am not using the darkroom.

Paul Howell · Sep 10, 2015

pentaxuser said:
Is there any evidence that a paper-safe isn't light tight enough compared to the black bag in which the paper comes?

I'd have thought that if the paper-safe is safe to use over a printing session of,say, several hours then it is safe over several days/weeks/months. It either leaks in which case it shouldn't be used at all or it is safe.

Or is it only safe when loaded under safelight and then unloaded under the same safelight i.e. under no circumstances should paper in a paper-safe ever be stored in normal room-light?

If it is the latter then unless everyone who uses one, loads into and unloads paper from the safe in safe-light conditions I'd have expected to see a whole raft of complaints and frankly the product to have been dropped years ago.

pentaxuser

My paper safes are safe in room light, I bought them all new so I know they have not been dropped, over time the plastic may develop cracks or split at hinges, mine seem safe. You can test, put a test strip in the safe, leave it in room light, take it outside, no fogging you are good.

MattKing · Sep 10, 2015

Paper safes are unsafe if you are likely to open them when you shouldn't.

Way more of a problem for us with temporary darkrooms or others who have to move their paper around a lot.

Sirius Glass · Sep 10, 2015

Why worry about a light safe not being light proof? Such problems are easily discovered.

removed account4 · Sep 11, 2015

alex2293 said:
Hi guys,

I'm buying the necessary equipment to make some B&W prints using an enlarger, but I have a simple question and I have not found an clear answer on this forum.

If I buy some paper let say 25 8x10 Ilford multigrade RC sheets and only use a few the first time a make prints, how do I store them properly until next time, between a week and a month probably.

Do I absolutely need a paper safe? Or do I just put the sheet in the bag, tape the flap and put the bag back in the original Ilford box?

Thanks a lot guys,

This forum is an almost infinite source of info for a beginner.

paper safe .. some people love them, but they aren't really necessary.
as others have said, protect from extremes --- heat and light, and moisture and that is about it.
if it makes you feel at ease, i have a box of paper i opened 30+ years ago sitting on a shelf
seems to be fine ...

its all about what makes you feel comfortable

have fun !
john

ChuckP · Sep 11, 2015

Should paper best be stored vertically or horizontally? Or it makes no difference.

Sirius Glass · Sep 11, 2015

ChuckP said:
Should paper best be stored vertically or horizontally? Or it makes no difference.

Photographic paper should be stored in a dark dry place.

M Carter · Sep 12, 2015

ChuckP said:
Should paper best be stored vertically or horizontally? Or it makes no difference.

If you store it vertically, over time gravity will make it curl if there's much room in the box. Especially fiber papers and heavier weights.

My vintage papers that are stored flat eventually develop some curl around the edges (especially fiber). It's not a huge issue if you use an easel, but with a lot of curl, you have to fight to get all the emulsion under the developer at one time. Once it's wet is flattens out, so for really curled paper, sometimes a water bath before the dev will help.

Short term paper storage (week to a month)

alex2293

dpurdy

MattKing

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NedL

tkamiya

tkamiya

Sirius Glass

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paul_c5x4

M Carter

Paul Howell

pentaxuser

Sirius Glass

Paul Howell

MattKing

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Sirius Glass

removed account4

ChuckP

Sirius Glass

M Carter

Short term paper storage (week to a month)

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