RJ Print Lab
Alternative Printing Processes Service Lab & Learning Centre
County Durham, UK
“Handmade, Museum Quality Prints from your Digital Files or Scans”
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Processes at 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.
The Beauty of Platinum Palladium Prints
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.
Here are some videos featuring RJ Print Lab
Workshops
Workshops: Platinum Palladium, Vandyke Brown, Cyanotypes, Digital Negatives, File set up & Calibration. Most people will do two days which includes digital negatives, file setup and calibration. I am currently running private workshops only until further notice.
Bespoke Workshop Price per day is £395. This includes all your materials and chemistry. Expect to do 3-5 prints from your files per day on the printing day. Prints on the day will 8X10 inch or similar.
Closest Train Station is Chester-Le Street, but it can be easier to go to Durham train station or Newcastle Upon Tyne (both about 15-20 min drive - Taxis easily available). Newcastle airport is also quite easily accessible.(about 30 mins).
From London: Trains direct from Londons Kings Cross are usually under three hours.
If you need accommodation please let me know and I can recommend a few places depending on your budget.
Send me an email or call me.
WORKSHOP TERMS & CONDITIONS
These Terms & Conditions apply to all workshop bookings with Raspberry Jam Limited (Company No. 06936257), trading as RJ Print Lab (“the Organiser”). By booking a workshop, you agree to these Terms.
A non-refundable deposit of 50% of the total workshop fee is required at the time of booking to secure your workshop date(s). The remaining balance must be paid no later than 14 calendar days before the scheduled workshop date. If the balance is not received by this date, the Organiser reserves the right to cancel the booking and retain the deposit.
If you cancel more than 14 calendar days before the scheduled workshop date, you will receive a full refund of any monies paid. Cancellations made within 14 calendar days of the workshop date are non-refundable, subject to the rescheduling provisions below. Cancellation within 3 calendar days of the workshop date, or failure to attend, will result in forfeiture of all payments made.
If you cancel within 14 calendar days of the workshop date, you may request to reschedule on one occasion only. Any request to reschedule must be made no later than 3 calendar days before the scheduled workshop date. Any new date must be mutually agreed in writing by both parties and is subject to availability. The rescheduled workshop must take place within 6 months of the original workshop date, unless otherwise agreed in writing. If a mutually acceptable date cannot be agreed within this timeframe, all payments will be forfeited.
The Organiser reserves the right to cancel or reschedule a workshop due to illness, insufficient bookings, venue issues, or circumstances beyond reasonable control. In such circumstances, you will be offered an alternative date (subject to mutual agreement) or a full refund of any payments made. The Organiser is not liable for any additional costs incurred by participants, including travel, accommodation, or other related expenses.
The Organiser is not liable for any failure or delay in performing its obligations where such failure or delay results from events beyond its reasonable control. These may include, but are not limited to, acts of God, flood, fire, storm, epidemic or pandemic, government restrictions, war, civil unrest, strikes, failure of utilities, or venue closure. In such cases, reasonable efforts will be made to reschedule the workshop. If rescheduling is not possible, a refund of payments made will be issued.
Nothing in these Terms limits or excludes liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, fraud, or any liability which cannot be excluded under UK law. Subject to this, the Organiser’s total liability arising out of or in connection with the workshop is limited to the total amount paid by the participant. The Organiser is not liable for any indirect or consequential loss, including loss of profit, business, opportunity, or anticipated savings.
Participants are responsible for their personal belongings, and the Organiser accepts no responsibility for loss or damage to personal property.
Participants agree to follow all reasonable instructions, safety guidance, and venue rules. You are responsible for ensuring you are medically and physically fit to attend and participate. Any relevant medical conditions, allergies, or accessibility requirements must be disclosed in advance. The Organiser reserves the right to remove any participant whose behaviour is unsafe, disruptive, or inappropriate. No refund will be provided in such circumstances.
These Terms & Conditions are governed by the laws of England and Wales. Any disputes shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.
2024 • Digital Negative Price List
Scanning
Negative & Transparency Scanning:
We currently have a Nikon Super Coolscan 9000ED capable of scanning at 4000dpi negative and transparency up to 120mm. We also have an Epson Perfection V850 Pro capable of scanning large format negative and transparencies.
Pricing:
We like to keep things simple. All scans done on the Nikon 9000 Coolscan will be done at maximum resolution which is 4000dpi and all scans done on the Epson v850 will be done at 1200dpi unless you ask us otherwise. We will give the original art work a quick air blast to remove any dust, however the price does not include any dust spotting or colour correction. Scans will be sent via digital download and original art work will be returned via Royal Mail - Special Delivery. A tracking number will be provided.
Up to 5 scans £28 per scan / More than 5 scans £25 per scan
Send me an email or call me to discuss and order.
2024 • Fine Art • Giclée Price List*
2024 • Cyanotype / Van Dyke Brown • Printing Prices
2025 • Platinum Palladium Price List*
I print using the Na2 Platinum Platinum Palladium Method.
If you want another method, let me know and we can discuss.
Hahnemuhle Platinum Rag is our standard paper.
We can discuss alternatives if preferred. Costs may change depending on selection.
Prices Revised June 2025
