fb & rc lifespan

raine · 14th August 2006

hey friends,
was just wondering, what's the life span of a RC photo paper print and a FB photo paper print? anyone knows? I've heard that FB prints last longer but perhaps someone could enlighten me as to why?

Many many thanks in advance!

jcryan55 · 14th August 2006

The advantage of FB paper is that it can be treated with Selenium toner. Selenium toning is archival and is said to give at least 100 archival quality.
RC paper cannot be toned with Selenium toner. So, I would think the life will be shorter than the fb paper print.

Wisp · 14th August 2006

Yes they can! I tone my RC with selenium...a good purple colour shift.

It depends on brand of paper..namely ilford will have no colour shift but there will be a slight increase of density in the blacks.

It's just the material of the paper itself..whether it'll last beyond a 100 years without degrading.

photobum · 15th August 2006

According to Ilford Technical Guide, selenium toning, if properly done, can lasts up to 150 years.

And yes, Ilford claims that their Multigrade IV RC paper can be selenium toned.

14th August 2006	#1
raine Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 82	fb & rc lifespan hey friends, was just wondering, what's the life span of a RC photo paper print and a FB photo paper print? anyone knows? I've heard that FB prints last longer but perhaps someone could enlighten me as to why? Many many thanks in advance!

14th August 2006	#2
jcryan55 Deregistered Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 2,112	Re: fb & rc lifespan The advantage of FB paper is that it can be treated with Selenium toner. Selenium toning is archival and is said to give at least 100 archival quality. RC paper cannot be toned with Selenium toner. So, I would think the life will be shorter than the fb paper print.

14th August 2006	#3
Wisp Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 628	Re: fb & rc lifespan Yes they can! I tone my RC with selenium...a good purple colour shift. It depends on brand of paper..namely ilford will have no colour shift but there will be a slight increase of density in the blacks. It's just the material of the paper itself..whether it'll last beyond a 100 years without degrading.

15th August 2006	#4
photobum Deregistered Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,080	Re: fb & rc lifespan According to Ilford Technical Guide, selenium toning, if properly done, can lasts up to 150 years. And yes, Ilford claims that their Multigrade IV RC paper can be selenium toned. Last edited by photobum; 15th August 2006 at 05:23 PM.