ILFORD MULTIGRADE RC Deluxe Pearl Darkroom Paper — 8x10 in, 25 Sheets

ILFORD MULTIGRADE RC DELUXE Pearl is worth choosing when you want the surface to contribute a little character without the strong reflective appearance of gloss. The subtle pearlescent finish gives an 8x10-inch print a different presence as you turn it towards the light. This pack contains 25 sheets of current fifth-generation RC DELUXE.

Print character: a restrained sheen

Pearl offers a fine surface character rather than the uninterrupted shine of Glossy or the smoother, quieter appearance of Satin. It is a useful candidate for a portrait portfolio, family photographs or a small documentary sequence that people will examine at different angles. Those are presentation suggestions; subject matter does not restrict which finish you can use.

The paper white is neutral, while the developed image is described by ILFORD as neutral-to-warm. This is a subtle monochrome character, not a built-in sepia effect. The surface and image colour are separate decisions: Pearl does not make a photograph warmer simply because it has a pearlescent finish.

Choose the print, then the viewing conditions

For a set of photographs, try Pearl with a representative image before committing the whole series. Look at faces, fine detail and broad dark areas under the lighting in which the prints will be shown. A finish that appeals on a desk may read differently under directional display lights. Pearl still has sheen; do not choose it on the assumption that it eliminates all reflections.

Control the tonal scale

This is variable-contrast paper, so the finish does not lock you into soft or hard printing. Current MULTIGRADE filters offer grades 00–5. Lower grades can help accommodate a contrasty negative; higher grades can give a flatter negative stronger separation. Suitable enlarger-head filtration also works.

Establish exposure with test strips and assess important highlights as well as shadows. When moving from another paper, make a fresh test rather than treating the same filter number and exposure as a guaranteed match. Toning is another creative option supported by RC DELUXE, with the final colour depending on the toner and process.

A manageable RC workflow

The resin-coated construction makes routine washing and drying less demanding than a traditional fibre-paper workflow. Use an appropriate paper safelight, then develop, stop, fix and wash according to the chemistry instructions. These sheets need wet photographic processing and are not designed for an inkjet printer.

After washing, remove surplus water carefully and allow prints to dry. Keep the surface clean and handle by the edges to protect the image during drying and presentation. Consult ILFORD's RC processing guide for finishing details.

How to choose the finish

Choose Glossy for a smooth, more reflective presentation. Choose Satin if you prefer smoothness with less sheen. Pearl sits between these as a distinctive surface choice, not a separate contrast grade. ILFORD's paper selection guide explains the finish families.

Specifications

• 25 sheets; 8x10 in / 20.3x25.4 cm
• Resin-coated paper; 190gsm base weight
• Pearl surface, code 44M
• Neutral base; neutral-to-warm image tone
• Variable-contrast black and white silver gelatin paper