Archival stability Photographic paper

the longevity of photographic print media depend upon processing, display , storage conditions of print.

black-and-white prints

fixing must convert non-image silver soluble silver compounds can removed washing water. washing must remove these compounds , residual fixing chemicals emulsion , paper base. hypo-clearing solution, referred hypo clearing agent, hca, or washing aid, , can consist of 2% solution of sodium sulfite, can used shorten effective washing time displacing thiosulfate fixer, , byproducts of process of fixation, bound paper fibers.

toners used convert metallic silver more stable compounds. commonly used archival toners are: selenium, gold , sulfide.

prints on fiber-based papers have been fixed , washed should last @ least fifty years without fading. alternative non-silver processes - such platinum prints - employ metals are, if processed correctly, inherently more stable gelatin-silver prints.

colour prints

for colour images, ilfochrome used because of clarity , stability of colour dyes.