Photographic printing

Photographic printing is the process of producing a final image for viewing, usually on sensitized paper from a previously prepared photographic negative.

The process consists of three major steps, performed in a photographic darkroom or within an automated photo printing machine:

1. Exposure of the image onto the sensitized paper using a contact printer or enlarger
2. Development of the latent image through a multistep chemical immersion process.
3. Optional Toning of the print through additional chemical processes.
4. Texturing and drying of the final print.

See also

• List of photographic processes
• Film developing
• Gelatin-silver process
• Enlarger
• Contact print
• Photographic print toning