How to Set Up a Darkroom Developing Tray for Prints

Quick Answer

To set up a darkroom developing tray for prints, choose a tray that fits your print size, arrange three trays in a row for developer, stop bath, and fixer, and use color-coded tongs to avoid cross-contamination.

Step-by-Step Setup

1. Choose your tray size and color: Select a tray that is a few inches larger than your print size. For 11×14-inch prints, a 12×16-inch tray works well. Pick three trays in different colors—one for developer, one for stop bath, one for fixer—so you can tell them apart under safelight. Check that your tray is deep enough to hold enough solution to cover the print without overflowing.
2. Arrange trays in processing order: Place the three trays in a row from left to right (or right to left, as you prefer): developer first, then stop bath, then fixer. This order matches the processing sequence and helps you move prints through without backtracking. Keep a consistent order every session so you don't have to think about which tray is which when you're in the dark.
3. Mix and pour the chemicals: Following the chemical manufacturer's instructions, mix the developer, stop bath, and fixer with water at the recommended dilution. Pour each solution into its designated tray. Use a measuring graduate to ensure accurate volumes and consistent results. Use a separate graduate for each chemical to avoid contamination, or rinse thoroughly between uses.
4. Assign tongs to each bath: Use a set of three color-coded tongs, one for each tray, and keep them with their respective tray. Never mix them up, as this can carry chemicals from one bath into another. If you have only one set of tongs, clean them thoroughly between baths, but dedicated tongs are safer and more convenient.
5. Test the setup with a test print: Before processing your final prints, run a test strip or an inexpensive print through the entire sequence. This verifies that the chemicals are mixed correctly, the trays are in the right order, and your timing is accurate. Note the development time that gives the best result, and write it down for consistent future prints.

Products that help

• Paterson Developing Tray 12×16″ - Gray - For 11×14 Prints: The Paterson Developing Tray is made of chemical-resistant plastic and available in multiple colors; the 12×16-inch size fits prints up to 11×14 inches. A correctly sized tray ensures even chemical coverage and easy print removal, while the color coding helps you identify each bath under safelight conditions.

  

• Paterson Print Tongs - Set of 3: Paterson Print Tongs come in a set of three color-coded tongs with textured grips and deep shoulders to prevent slipping into the solution. Dedicated tongs per chemical bath prevent cross-contamination, and the textured grip keeps your hands safely out of the chemistry.