About Ilfochrome

Ilfochrome, (formerly known as Cibachrome) occupies a unique position in photography. It's the only available method to make photographic prints directly from color slide film. Two key factors distinguish Ilfochrome from other traditional and digital photographic printing papers. First, the paper is constructed with a polyester base giving it exceptional dimensional stability (it's very flat and sturdy). Second, the paper's emulsion consists of 13 layers of AZO dyes which is unique because the color is actually in the emulsion, not the chemistry. A bit more on this later.

Douglas' Darkroom

Printing with Ilfochrome

Working in a traditional wet darkroom with an optical enlarger (pictured right), the Ilfochrome paper is exposed directly from the original transparency. In determining the desired exposure the printmaker has a limited set of creative options to manipulate color balance as well as dodge and/or burn (darken and lighten) specific areas of the print. Advanced techniques such as contrast masking can be used to affect local contrast and color densities.

Once exposed, the paper is then placed in a light tight drum and processed in a Jobo processor. Specifically, the film is wetted, run through developer, rinsed, run through bleach and then fixer, and rinsed once more. The print is pulled from the drum (into the light!) and washed in open trays for about 5 mins. The entire printing process takes approximately 25 minutes. Prints can be heat or air dryed but should generally be left alone for about 24 hours before being matted or stored.

The Beauty of Ilfochrome

As mentioned, Ilfochrome's emulsion consists of AZO dyes which, characteristically, are very vivid and light responsive. Because the dyes are embedded in the emulsion, they create an anti-light scattering layer which keeps the reflected image from being diffused when viewed. This simply means you get a clearer, sharper print with exceptional color saturation. A well printed Ilfochrome properly lighted has a three dimensional quality to it unrivaled in all photographic printmaking.

Archival Characteristics of Ilfochrome

Tests originally conducted by Ilford and cited by the defacto current standards body, Wilheim Imaging, rates Ilfochrome under recommended viewing conditions, at 29 years before noticeable fading will occur. Dark stored, Ilfochrome is rated at 200+ years, which can be interpreted to mean "indefinitely". As with any archival standards, each individual's mileage may very depending on enviromental conditions.

The History of Ilfochrome

The Cibachrome process was created in Switzerland by the Ciba-Geigy Corporation during the 1960s. The process was eventually purchased by Ilford which then changed the name to Ilfochrome. Ilfochrome, marketed as Ilfochrome Classic, enjoyed success among photographic printmakers through the early 1990s before losing ground to digital photography.

Ilford, a company founded in 1897, found intself in dire straits in 2004 having failed to adequately adapt to the changes in the photographic marketplace to digital. Ilford announced they were in insolvency and at risk of going under. Fortunately, in February of 2005, Ilford was saved in a management buyout preserving its England based Black & White operations.

In July 2005, Ilford announced it was selling its color-based business in Switzerland to 130 year old Oji Paper in Tokyo. The Swiss plant retained the Ilford name while all future English based operations would come under the name Harman. Oji Paper affirmed an indefinite committment to Ilfochrome products ending a harrowing 2 years of uncertainty for Ilfochrome based printers.