Darkroom Tips

  • Replenish Fixer and Developer Daily
    Replenish even on days when no processing occurs. Why? Because oxidation causes the chemicals to break down and lose their effectiveness.


  • Keep Work Areas Clean
    Dust buildup, powder from rubber gloves, chemical splashes, and hand lotion can cause artifacts on film. Keep these potential contaminants away from the area.


  • Take Your Darkroom's Temperature
    It's important to keep both darkroom and storage rooms between 50°F(10°C)–70°F(20°C) and between 30%-50% relative humidity. Temperatures that are too high can cause heat fog.


  • Watch Out for Light Leaks
    The smallest light leak can fog film and haze images. Most often, you'll find leaks under doors and through false ceilings. Also check for light from sources such as clock radios, electronic equipment, and film processor controls.

    To find and eliminate leaks
  • Close door and turn off all lights.
  • Let your eyes adjust to the light
  • Look for leaks and mark them with chalk.
  • Seal leaks with black masking tape or weather stripping.
  • Change All Solutions Monthly
    This reduces the effect of oxidation and chemical exhaustion and gives you sharper, brighter radiographic images. When changing solutions, also clean the processor thoroughly. For best results, keep a written log of who changes what and when.


  • Be Organized for Safety
    Prevent injury, chemical contamination, and artifacts by making it easy and safe to put your hands on what you need.


  • In with the Good Air, Out with the Bad
    Make sure your ventilation system is replacing inside air with fresh outside air. Good ventilation prevents fixer fumes from building up, and keeps excess heat and moisture away from drying fumes.


  • Be Sure Your Safelight Is Safe
    For both intraoral and extraoral films, a KODAK LED Safelight or a safelight with a KODAK GBX-2 Filter (ruby red color) using a frosted 15-watt bulb is best. ML-2 (orange color) safelight will fog dental film. Keep safelights at least 4 feet (1.2 m) away from film. Safelights will crack over time and need to be replaced. Double check for scratches.