Ilford MULTIGRADE RC Deluxe Paper (Glossy, 8x10in, 25 Sheets) 1179914

Ilford MULTIGRADE RC Deluxe Paper is a premium black and white resin-coated enlarging paper designed for photographers who want excellent tonal control, dependable handling, and a traditional darkroom look with the convenience of modern RC processing. This glossy 8 x 10 inch, 25-sheet pack is well suited for students, enthusiasts, lab users, and experienced printers who need a versatile paper for contact sheets, work prints, final prints, and portfolio output.

Part of Ilford's long-established MULTIGRADE system, this paper is engineered to produce a wide range of contrast grades when used with MULTIGRADE filters or a color enlarger head. That flexibility allows you to fine-tune highlight separation, midtone placement, and shadow depth from negative to negative without changing papers. The glossy surface enhances apparent sharpness and delivers a punchy, clean photographic finish that works especially well for landscapes, street photography, portraiture, documentary subjects, and archival-style monochrome presentation.

Key Features

Ilford MULTIGRADE RC Deluxe uses a resin-coated base that is easier and faster to process than traditional fiber paper, making it especially practical for darkrooms where speed, consistency, and flat drying are important. The glossy finish emphasizes image detail and contrast, while the variable contrast emulsion supports creative control across a broad tonal scale. In an 8 x 10 inch format, the paper is large enough for meaningful evaluation and display while remaining economical for frequent printing sessions.

Why Choose MULTIGRADE RC Deluxe

Photographers often choose MULTIGRADE RC Deluxe when they want the familiar look of silver gelatin black and white printing without the extended wash and dry times associated with fiber-based paper. RC papers are especially useful for education, commercial darkrooms, proofs, and high-output workflows. Ilford's MULTIGRADE line is widely respected for consistency from box to box, smooth tonal transitions, and responsive contrast control, which helps simplify printing from a mixed archive of negatives.

Glossy Surface Benefits

The glossy surface provides a bright, clean print appearance with strong perceived sharpness and excellent D-max potential. Fine textures, edges, and tonal transitions can appear especially vivid on glossy paper, making it a popular choice for dramatic black and white imagery. It is also a strong option when you want prints that scan or reproduce with high clarity for portfolios and documentation.

Darkroom Workflow Advantages

Because this is a resin-coated paper, it processes quickly in standard black and white paper developer, stop bath, and fixer. It also washes faster than fiber paper and typically dries flatter, reducing finishing time and making it easier to evaluate prints shortly after processing. For photographers making multiple test strips and iterative prints, that speed can significantly improve productivity in the darkroom.

Ideal Uses

This 8 x 10 inch size is a versatile format for contact sheets, classroom assignments, print reviews, test prints, matted presentation prints, and portfolio pages. It works well for photographers refining enlarger exposure and contrast settings before committing to larger sheets, and it is equally useful for final prints where a compact presentation format is desired.

Comparison to Fiber Paper

Compared with fiber-based black and white paper, MULTIGRADE RC Deluxe is generally faster to process, faster to wash, and easier to dry flat. Fiber papers are often selected for maximum traditional character and certain finishing preferences, but RC paper remains a highly practical option for photographers who value efficiency and repeatability. For learning environments and routine printing, RC paper is frequently the more convenient choice.

Comparison to Pearl or Satin Finishes

If you are deciding between glossy and pearl-style surfaces, glossy usually offers the highest apparent sharpness and deepest visual punch, while pearl or satin surfaces may reduce reflections and fingerprints slightly. This glossy version is best for photographers who want a classic darkroom print with maximum brilliance and a clean exhibition-style look.

Usage Tips

Store unused paper in a cool, dry place and handle sheets by the edges to minimize surface marks. Use test strips to determine the best exposure and contrast filtration for each negative. For best consistency, maintain fresh chemistry, stable tray times, and proper safelight conditions recommended for black and white enlarging paper. After drying, consider using archival print sleeves or presentation boxes to help protect the glossy surface.

Recommended Accessories

Useful accessories for this paper include Ilford MULTIGRADE contrast filters, black and white paper developer, stop bath, rapid fixer, archival print washers or trays, print tongs, safelights, focusing magnifiers, grain focusers, easels, enlarger lenses, contact printing frames, and archival storage sleeves. A flat drying rack and print squeegee can also help streamline finishing and review.

About the MULTIGRADE Tradition

Ilford has been a major name in black and white photography for generations, and the MULTIGRADE family has played a central role in modern darkroom printing by giving photographers flexible contrast control from a single paper type. MULTIGRADE RC Deluxe continues that legacy by combining classic silver gelatin aesthetics with convenient RC handling, making it a dependable option for both new darkroom users and seasoned printers.

Specifications

Product: Ilford MULTIGRADE RC Deluxe Paper
Manufacturer Number: 1179484
UPC: 019498179488
Paper Type: Black and white enlarging paper
Contrast Type: Variable contrast
Surface Finish: Glossy
Sheet Size: 8 x 10 in
Quantity: 25 sheets
Base Type: Resin coated (RC)