Storing RC Paper - Long term

Hi Guys,

I recently had to move my darkroom from where it was and store a good portion of it all in plastic containers until I can bring everything out again. My chemistry is fine as I just ran out of Ilford Multigrade, but my paper (around 300 sheets) will be stored until I can use it again. All of it was purchased last July. It'll be stored in a cool, dry area in the containters (hallway closet).

My question is this, How long will these hold up? About 3 boxes are opened, the rest are sealed. These are new, but I've been told that RC paper can only last around 2 years. I'm not sure how long it'll be until I can move into a solid location until then. Any advice would be great- Sorry if I'm beating a dead horse.

I have had paper go bad in a short time, or stay good for a long time, and am not so sure why.

As I understand it, some papers have built-in developer chemistry, which speeds up development,

and which also makes the paper go bad faster.

As with film, cool and dry are important. Factory sealed packages usually help.

Though not so many years ago, I got an unopened package of only a few year

old Polycontrast. (Well, probably close to the end of the Kodak line.)

For some reason I don't know, when developed unexposed, it is gray, except

for a white border. I presume less than ideal storage conditions, but I don't know

why the white border.

When I worked in a media department some years back we usually bought 6 months or a years worth of supplies in advance including film and paper. We always kept the film frozen and paper in the refrigerator until it was needed. It never lasted long enough to go bad before use. As I'm writing this I have unopened Ilford paper in my freezer.

Rick H.

When I worked in a media department some years back we usually bought 6 months or a years worth of supplies in advance including film and paper. We always kept the film frozen and paper in the refrigerator until it was needed. It never lasted long enough to go bad before use. As I'm writing this I have unopened Ilford paper in my freezer.

 

Rick H.

It depends upon the paper size. My 8x10 fits in the "Deli Drawer" of the refrigerator where it is kept both cool and dry (and mostly in the dark). If your paper is 16x20 it probably will not fit in the refrigerator. I usually take it our the night before I print and let it come up to room temperature.

I see a pattern here- I have about 10 packs of 25 sheet ilford paper and a few other 50 packs of ilford paper- all in 8x10. I also have some 11x14. I'll check on Amazon for some thick ziplock bags and toss them in the freezer.

Thank you guys!

My basement darkroom is about 50F in the winter, and maybe 65F in the summer. I mostly don't worry about film or paper down there.

Years ago, I had some Ektachrome 1993 paper, which I kept in the refrigerator. I might have had it for some years,

including moving a few times, before giving up on it. Especially as I didn't have the chemistry anymore.

I recently got back into the hobby. I had kept some old agfa rc vc paper in their original black bags and factory boxes in a large plastic storage container for 20+ years. Kept it in my basement where it is about 60 to 65 Fahrenheit in the winter, and maybe can go up to 75 in the summer, although we do send some A/C down there.

The paper developed with a grey cast over it including the borders. The images were perfectly sharp though. I haven't thrown it out because on one photo I printed it actually added to the result.