Which side of RA-4 paper is the correct side?

Hey all

 

This might be a really silly question but I just got a pack of RA-4 paper, the fuji 8x10 boxed stuff and wondered how I know which is the correct side to expose? I have the matte type and it feels the same. There are obviously no notches like larfge format, any ideas?

Paper usually curls towards the emulsion. Unless it doesn't. Check a corner with a damp finger and see if it sticks? Make a test strip?

Ah thanks Conrad, if it sticks that means its the light sensitive side you want correct? It isn;t curling at the moment but a new box so that might be why

That would be my guess, though I haven't messed color paper in a long time.

The usually have printing on the back, but you can't read that with a #13 safelight.

 

If you sacrifice one sheet, you will know the side for the rest.

 

I believe all I know are exposing side up in the box, but maybe that isn't a rule.

I can feel it by touch. Even with dry finger I still feel the emulsion side more sticky. Edited October 15, 2021 by BeBu Lamar

I have glossy RA-4, which I don't believe I ever got wrong.

 

But for black and white paper, I am sure that at least once, I exposed the wrong side.

 

Fiber based paper is pretty good at curling the right way, but RC paper doesn't always do that.