How to Develop Vintage Photo Paper

Preparing Your Work Area

1). Mix all of the photographic solutions according to the directions on their containers. Depending on the type of chemicals you have, dilution with fresh water is usually required. The diluted product is called a stock, or working solution, and should be stored in opaque plastic or dark glass bottles. Label each bottle ("Developer," "Stop Bath," "Fixer") as you dilute and store it.
2). Darken the room you will be working in and switch on your safelight. A safelight is a low wattage light bulb with a colored filter (usually orange or red) fitted over it. This allows you to see your work area without overexposing the light-sensitive paper.
3). Create a row of four developing trays on a flat surface. Using the directions on each respective container to determine quantity, pour developer into the first tray, stop bath into the second and fixer into the third. The fourth tray will be used to wash the fixed print and should be filled with fresh water. Label each tray accordingly.
4). Measure the temperature of each solution. Each solution should measure about 68 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celsius), although this does not have to be precise.

1). Place the exposed vintage paper into the tray of developer. Average development time is around two minutes. Agitate the print by gently rocking the tray back and forth every 30 seconds.
2). Lift the paper out of the developer with tongs, allowing any run off to drip back into the tray. Gently place the paper into the tray of stop bath, ensuring that the tongs do not get any solution on them. Allow 30 seconds in this solution, agitating the tray once or twice.
3). Remove the paper from the stop bath using a clean pair of tongs and place it in the tray of fixer. Allow two minutes in this solution, agitating every 30 seconds.
4). Set the fixed print in the tray of fresh water, allowing it to sit for 15 to 20 minutes (according to the type of vintage paper you're using, wash time can vary). Empty and replenish the water every two to three minutes to ensure a clean final print.
5). Place the washed print on a flat surface, or a drying rack if you own one, and allow it to dry undisturbed for several hours.