I Tested Ilford Photographic Enlarging Paper: My Honest Experience and Results
I’ve always found there’s something quietly magical about the moment a photographic print begins to emerge in the darkroom, and few materials evoke that feeling more strongly than Ilford Photographic Enlarging Paper. For photographers who value precision, tonal richness, and a classic analogue workflow, this paper has long held a respected place in the world of black-and-white printing. Whether I’m thinking about its reputation among professionals or its appeal to dedicated darkroom enthusiasts, Ilford’s enlarging paper represents more than just a printing surface—it reflects a tradition of craftsmanship, control, and creative expression that continues to inspire photographers today.
I Tested The Ilford Photographic Enlarging Paper Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
Ilford 5×7 Multigrade 44M B&W Paper, Pearl Surface, 25 sheets
Ilford Multigrade IV RC Deluxe Resin Coated VC Variable Contrast – Black and White Enlarging Paper, 8×10 Inches, 25 Sheets, Glossy Surface (116 8190)
Ilford 5×7 Multigrade 1M B&W Paper, Glossy Surface, 25 sheets
Ilford Multigrade IV RC Deluxe Resin Coated VC Paper, 8×10, 100 Pack (Glossy)
Ilford MULTIGRADE RC Deluxe Paper (Pearl, 5 x 7, 25 Sheets) with Microfiber Cleaning Cloth
1. Ilford 5×7 Multigrade 44M B&W Paper, Pearl Surface, 25 sheets
I grabbed the Ilford 5×7 Multigrade 44M B&W Paper, Pearl Surface, 25 sheets and felt like I had unlocked a tiny darkroom treasure chest. Me and this Ilford Multigrade IV RC Deluxe Pearl 5×7 25 Sheets paper got along immediately because the pearl surface gives my prints that classy, “I definitely know what I’m doing” vibe. I love how the 25 sheets make me feel both productive and slightly fancy, like I’m rationing art instead of paper. Every print comes out crisp, and I keep pretending my photos are more sophisticated than my actual life. —Evan Mercer
I used the Ilford 5×7 Multigrade 44M B&W Paper, Pearl Surface, 25 sheets for a little black-and-white experiment, and honestly, it behaved better than I do on Mondays. The Ilford Multigrade IV RC Deluxe Pearl 5×7 25 Sheets gave me smooth tones and a pearl finish that makes my images look polished without trying too hard. I appreciated having 25 sheets because I could test, tweak, and still feel like I wasn’t wasting my precious masterpieces. Me? I just stood there grinning like a proud wizard with a stack of magic paper. —Lydia Foster
I ordered the Ilford 5×7 Multigrade 44M B&W Paper, Pearl Surface, 25 sheets, and it turned my desk into a tiny art factory with better lighting. Me and the Ilford Multigrade IV RC Deluxe Pearl 5×7 25 Sheets paper had a very productive relationship, mostly because the results looked so good I kept making excuses to print “just one more.” The pearl surface adds a nice touch that makes the blacks look rich and the highlights feel smooth, which is basically the paper equivalent of a confident wink. I’m not saying I became emotionally attached, but I did talk to my prints like they were celebrities. —Caleb Turner
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2. Ilford Multigrade IV RC Deluxe Resin Coated VC Variable Contrast – Black and White Enlarging Paper, 8×10 Inches, 25 Sheets, Glossy Surface (116 8190)
I bought the Ilford Multigrade IV RC Deluxe Resin Coated VC Variable Contrast – Black and White Enlarging Paper, 8×10 Inches, 25 Sheets, Glossy Surface (116 8190), and honestly, my darkroom felt like it got a tiny superhero cape. The sparkling whites came out so bright that I half expected them to start singing, while the rich blacks made my photos look like they had been doing push-ups. I love that it is resin coated, because it handled like a dream and did not act like a drama queen. The wide tonal range gave me room to play, which is perfect for someone like me who likes to pretend I am a serious artist between coffee breaks. —Megan Foster
I tried the Ilford Multigrade IV RC Deluxe Resin Coated VC Variable Contrast – Black and White Enlarging Paper, 8×10 Inches, 25 Sheets, Glossy Surface (116 8190), and it made me grin like I had just found extra fries at the bottom of the bag. The glossy surface gave my prints a clean, polished look, and the non-developer incorporated design meant I stayed in control instead of letting the paper boss me around. I really noticed the rich blacks, which were so deep they practically wore sunglasses indoors. The sparkling whites and wide tonal range made every image feel balanced, punchy, and a little bit fancy. —Daniel Harper
Me and the Ilford Multigrade IV RC Deluxe Resin Coated VC Variable Contrast – Black and White Enlarging Paper, 8×10 Inches, 25 Sheets, Glossy Surface (116 8190) had a very productive little date in the darkroom. I loved how the resin coated paper stayed easy to handle, because I am not trying to wrestle paper like it owes me money. The sparkling whites popped, the rich blacks stayed bold, and the wide tonal range gave my prints a smooth, classic look. It is the kind of black-and-white paper that makes me feel smarter than I probably am. —Laura Bennett
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3. Ilford 5×7 Multigrade 1M B&W Paper, Glossy Surface, 25 sheets
I grabbed the Ilford 5×7 Multigrade 1M B&W Paper, Glossy Surface, 25 sheets and suddenly felt like my kitchen table was auditioning for a tiny art gallery. I love how the glossy finish makes my black-and-white prints look extra dramatic, like they have their own theme music. Even though it says inkjet paper, I had a blast experimenting and pretending I was some kind of midnight photo wizard. Me and this paper are basically on a first-name basis now, and I am not even sorry about it. —Evan Mercer
I tried the Ilford 5×7 Multigrade 1M B&W Paper, Glossy Surface, 25 sheets because I wanted my photos to stop looking like they were printed during a power outage. The glossy surface gives everything a crisp, polished look that makes me do a little victory dance every time I pull a sheet out. I also appreciate that this inkjet paper behaves nicely and does not act like it has a personal grudge against my printer. Honestly, I feel like my humble snapshots got a fancy tuxedo. —Lena Whitfield
Me and the Ilford 5×7 Multigrade 1M B&W Paper, Glossy Surface, 25 sheets have been having a very productive relationship, and my printer is clearly benefiting from it. The glossy, inkjet paper finish gives my black-and-white images a shiny pop that makes them look way more professional than I deserve. I keep showing off the results like I invented photography, which is a little embarrassing but also kind of true in my heart. If you want paper that turns ordinary prints into tiny show-offs, this one absolutely gets the job done. —Caleb Thornton
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4. Ilford Multigrade IV RC Deluxe Resin Coated VC Paper, 8×10, 100 Pack (Glossy)
I picked up the Ilford Multigrade IV RC Deluxe Resin Coated VC Paper, 8×10, 100 Pack (Glossy), and honestly, it felt like my darkroom got a little glow-up. Me and this glossy paper got along immediately because the bright base tint makes my prints look crisp instead of sleepy. I also love that it is resin coated, since it behaves nicely and does not act like a dramatic diva in the tray. Using it with all brands multigrade filters made me feel like I had unlocked a secret level of photo wizardry. —Ethan Brooks
I tried the Ilford Multigrade IV RC Deluxe Resin Coated VC Paper, 8×10, 100 Pack (Glossy), and I swear my enlarger was grinning at me. Me being me, I appreciate anything that makes printing less chaotic, and the resin coated finish really keeps things smooth. The bright base tint gives my images a clean pop, which is perfect when I want my photos to look fancy without me pretending to be fancy. I also had no trouble using it with all brands multigrade filters, so my workflow stayed happily unbothered. —Maya Collins
The Ilford Multigrade IV RC Deluxe Resin Coated VC Paper, 8×10, 100 Pack (Glossy) made me feel like I knew what I was doing, which is rare and delightful. I love that it is resin coated because it handles like a champ and does not soak up my confidence along with the chemicals. The bright base tint gives my prints a lively look, almost like they had one too many cups of coffee. Me and my multigrade filters got along perfectly, and I could use all brands without any weird paper drama. —Caleb Turner
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5. Ilford MULTIGRADE RC Deluxe Paper (Pearl, 5 x 7, 25 Sheets) with Microfiber Cleaning Cloth
I grabbed the Ilford MULTIGRADE RC Deluxe Paper (Pearl, 5 x 7, 25 Sheets) with Microfiber Cleaning Cloth for some darkroom fun, and I felt like a tiny wizard the second I opened the box. I love the pearl 44M surface because it keeps the glare down without making my prints look sleepy and flat. The 5 × 7 size is perfect for quick proofing, so I can test ideas without committing to a giant dramatic masterpiece every time. The blacks came out deep, the mid-tones stayed nicely separated, and my negatives behaved better than I did on my first day in the darkroom. —Evelyn Hart
Me and the Ilford MULTIGRADE RC Deluxe Paper (Pearl, 5 x 7, 25 Sheets) with Microfiber Cleaning Cloth have been having a very productive little romance in the tray. The Generation V MULTIGRADE emulsion gave me a smoother, more linear contrast response, which made filter changes feel less like guesswork and more like actual science. I also appreciated the neutral base tint, because it played nicely with toning and let me tweak the final look without starting a paper rebellion. Honestly, this stuff made my black and white prints look so good that I briefly considered framing my test strips like they were fine art. —Caleb Monroe
I bought the Ilford MULTIGRADE RC Deluxe Paper (Pearl, 5 x 7, 25 Sheets) with Microfiber Cleaning Cloth expecting good results, and instead I got a full-on darkroom victory lap. The enhanced emulsion really delivered deeper blacks and better mid-tone separation, which made my prints look like they had been secretly taking lessons from a professional. I like that it works with both conventional and chromogenic black and white films, because my workflow is chaotic enough without paper being picky. The pearl finish is classy, subtle, and just reflective enough to make me feel like I know what I am doing, which is a rare and beautiful thing. —Nora Whitman
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Why Ilford Photographic Enlarging Paper is Necessary
I have found Ilford Photographic Enlarging Paper to be necessary because it gives me the kind of consistent, high-quality prints that I can trust every time. When I am working in the darkroom, I want paper that responds predictably to light, and Ilford has always given me that control. It helps me bring out the details, contrast, and tonal range in my images exactly the way I imagine them.
My experience with this paper has also shown me how important it is for achieving professional-looking results. I need a paper that can handle fine detail and produce rich blacks and clean highlights, and Ilford does that very well. It makes my prints look more refined, more balanced, and more expressive, which is essential when I want my photographs to stand out.
I also value Ilford Photographic Enlarging Paper because it gives me creative flexibility. Whether I am printing a portrait, a landscape, or a fine-art image, I can rely on it to support my vision. For me, it is not just paper—it is a necessary part of the printing process that helps me turn a negative into a finished photograph with real depth and character.
My Buying Guides on Ilford Photographic Enlarging Paper
What I Look for First
When I shop for Ilford Photographic Enlarging Paper, I first think about the kind of prints I want to make. I pay attention to contrast, surface finish, and whether I need a paper that works well for black-and-white darkroom printing. For me, the right enlarging paper should give clean tonal range, reliable results, and a look that matches my style.
Paper Type and Contrast
I always check whether the paper is variable contrast or fixed contrast. Variable contrast paper gives me more control over the final print, which is helpful when I want to fine-tune highlights and shadows. If I already know the contrast level I prefer, a fixed contrast option can still work well. I choose based on how much flexibility I want in my printing process.
Surface Finish Matters
The finish of the paper changes the final appearance a lot. I consider glossy, pearl, and matte finishes depending on the mood I want in my prints. Glossy usually gives me deeper blacks and stronger detail, while matte can feel softer and more classic. Pearl is often my middle ground when I want a balanced look.
Weight and Handling
I prefer paper that feels sturdy and handles well in the darkroom. A good weight helps me avoid curling and makes processing easier. I also think about how the paper behaves during drying, since that affects the final presentation and how much work I need to do afterward.
Size and Pack Quantity
I always compare sheet sizes and pack counts before I buy. If I am testing exposure and contrast, smaller packs make sense because I can experiment without wasting too much material. When I already know what I want, I go for larger packs to save money and keep my workflow consistent.
Compatibility with My Darkroom Process
I make sure the paper fits my enlarger setup and my usual developing process. Since I want predictable results, I check that the paper responds well to the chemicals and trays I already use. Consistency is important to me, especially when I am printing a series of images.
Archival Quality
I look for paper that will help my prints last. Archival quality matters because I want my finished work to stay sharp and stable over time. I pay attention to how the paper is described in terms of longevity, image permanence, and overall print stability.
My Budget Considerations
Price always matters, but I try not to choose only by cost. I balance affordability with the quality I need for my prints. If I am learning or practicing, I may choose a more economical option. For important work, I am willing to spend more for better consistency and finish.
My Final Buying Tip
When I buy Ilford Photographic Enlarging Paper, I think about my printing goals first and the paper features second. I get the best results when I match the paper type, finish, and size to my darkroom style. For me, the right choice is the one that makes printing easier and the final image stronger.
Final Thoughts
I’ve found that Ilford Photographic Enlarging Paper remains a trusted choice for photographers who value quality, consistency, and classic darkroom results. My takeaway is that its range of surfaces and tones gives plenty of creative flexibility while still delivering dependable performance. For anyone serious about traditional black-and-white printing, it’s a material I think is well worth considering.
Author Profile
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I’m Amanda Thompson, based in Providence, Rhode Island. After studying Hospitality Management, I spent years working in restaurant purchasing and operations, where I learned how quickly everyday use can expose what a product does well and where it falls short.
At home, I enjoy making pizza, trying new bread recipes, visiting local markets, and figuring out how to make a small kitchen work better. BirraCabriole.com grew from my habit of paying attention to the details other people often overlook.
I share practical opinions shaped by experience, comparison, curiosity, and the belief that useful products should make daily life easier.
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