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"WHAT IS AN ILFOCHROME?"
by Anita Winstanley-Roark
 
 

"Fall Dreams", ilfochrome, Anita Winstanley-Roark
 ILFOCHROME (also known as CIBACHROME) was developed by the Ciba-Geigy Corporation of Switzerland in the 1960s.  It is a positive-to-positive color printing process which takes an original positive *transparency and creates an original positive print image while retaining a first generation sharpness without the need for an *internegative.  Other processes such as negative printing processes, "Type R" processes offered by Kodak, Fuji and others, are often referred to as chromogenic processes.  These processes use color dyes that are in the chemistry.  These color dyes then interact with the developer to form a color image on  the paper.  With the Ilfochrome Classic the dyes are built into the paper and are bleached out selectively in processing.  These dyes are called AZO dyes and are known for their vivid color, stability, and longevity.

Ilfochrome Classic prints are renown for their archival qualities, rich colors, and sharpness.  This sharpness is due to the fact that the dyes are in the paper, not in the chemistry, and the dyes in the emulsion act as an anti-light scattering layer.  Because of this, the projected image does not spread out as it penetrates and exposes the emulsion. 

Unlike chromogenic processes, which create greater quantities of toxic dyes, this process is also more environmentally friendly as it does not waste chemistry.  The fixer is conventional and processed after use for silver removal while the developer used for the Ilfochrome process is similar to that used in black and white processes.   In the bleach step any sulfuric acid used is neutralized with sodium bicarbonate before disposal and contains no toxic substances after it has been treated. 

The most common of the two printing surfaces use in Ilfochrome Classic is the glossy.  This surface contains no paper but is made entirely of plastic with a polyester backing.  This is also the paper that is used in all archival tests.  The second type of paper, called Pearl, has more of a matte surface.  It is made of a resin-coated paper material, and though it still has the same emulsion and characteristics of the glossy paper, the Pearl is not considered archival.  Therefore, archival in this case has nothing to do with fade-resistance as the same emulsions are use by both types of paper.  What it means, in extremely rare cases, is a possibility that the emulsion can separate from the backing.  With this in mind, most professional photographers will prefer to print using the glossy paper. 

It is important to note that this process is different from the Ilfochrome Rapid method.  Ilfochrome Rapid is a faster process and has very different printing characteristics.  Therefore, when a lab does your developing be sure to specify which process you want.  If you're not sure or you are having difficulty finding answers ask what chemistry they use in the processor.  P3, P3X, P30, and P30P are the only chemicals that can be used with the Classic material.  If you are told its P4 then the lab is using the Rapid material.  If you are considering the purchase of a photographic work of art be sure to look carefully at the print and ask the photographer about what processes were used.
 

*Internegative - a negative that is created off of a positive transparency.

*Transparency - a color slide.

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I welcome any comments.  You may direct your commentary to me at: wrfa@masterfulart.com
 
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View more of Ms. Winstanley-Roark's ilfochromes

 

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