RJ Print Lab

Brief History

These are some of the Historical Processes we currently print.

Historical processes we do at RJ Print Lab are made by contact printing, which means that we make a digital inter-negative prior to the printing.  In all of our processes we try to stretch the tonal range of each process to its maximum potential by meticulously calibrating for each process and specially chosen papers.  The paper is then hand coated using our own mix of chemistry, correctly exposed, processed and dried.

Platinum Palladium

Nothing rivals the subtle tonal rendition of a platinum palladium print. The emulsion is brushed and absorbed by the handmade paper as opposed to silver gelatin prints (wet prints) or ink jet prints where the image is actually floating on top of the paper.  This gives the prints a three-dimensional feel to them and also makes them the most archival print available today.

Salt Prints

William Henry Fox Talbot invented the salt print in 1839.  This was the first time photographs could be reproduced from a single negative.  The finished print has a beautiful chocolate brown look to it. The process is started by preparing the paper in a salted solution. After the paper has dried it is then coated with a silver solution.

Cyanotypes

One of my favourite processes is the cyanotype process, invented by Sir John Herschel in 1841 as a way to copy notes.  The term “blue print” comes from cyanotypes as they were used to copy architectural and engineering drawings.   Although this is a simple process, it manages to produces a beautiful continuous tone of Prussian blue and can easily be toned.

Van Dyke Brown Prints

The Van Dyke Brown print is based on the Argentotype, the first iron-silver printing method invented by Englishman Sir John Herschel in 1842. Both methods rely on the action of light on ferric salts and their chemical properties are very similar. The Van Dyke Brown process got its name because of its  color resemblance to the dark brown pigment of the Flemish painter Van Dyck. You can achieve beautiful tonalities with this printing method. They can also be toned with platinum, palladium or even gold.

Platinum Palladium

Platinum palladium printing is one of the most exquisite and archival photographic printing processes available today. Known for its unmatched beauty and permanence, this historic alternative process creates timeless images with a rich, subtle tonal range—from soft creamy whites and delicate midtone greys to warm sepia hues and deep, velvety blacks.

Invented in 1873, the platinum palladium process predates modern silver gelatin printing and offers a distinctive look and feel. Compared to traditional black and white silver prints, platinum prints reveal a broader tonal spectrum, greater depth, and a luminous, almost three-dimensional quality that sets them apart.

Highly sought after by fine art photographers and collectors, platinum palladium prints are also among the most archival photographic prints ever made. Platinum and palladium are noble metals that are more chemically stable than gold. When properly processed and stored, these prints can last for thousands of years, making them true heirloom-quality artworks.

Whether you're a photography enthusiast, art collector, or simply appreciate historic photographic processes, platinum palladium prints offer an enduring beauty that bridges art and science in a way few mediums can.

The Platinum Palladium Printing Process

The creation of a platinum palladium print is a hands-on, artisanal process that bridges traditional craftsmanship with modern photography. Whether working from a film negative or a high-resolution digital file, each print is made entirely by hand—making it a true one-of-a-kind work of art.

The process begins by hand-coating fine art paper with a carefully mixed platinum and palladium solution. The coated paper is then dried, placed in contact with a negative, and exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light. Once exposed, the paper is processed in a series of chemical baths to reveal the final image—an archival-quality print with exceptional tonal depth and lasting permanence.

No two platinum palladium prints are ever exactly alike. The slight variations in coating, exposure, and development ensure that each piece is truly unique. Often considered the ultimate collector's print, platinum palladium photographs are treasured for their subtle tonal beauty, richness, and longevity. In fact, these prints are so durable that the image will outlast the paper it's printed on—a testament to the stability and permanence of platinum metals.