What papers are not archival?
A. Most papers are not archival. If a paper is designated RC (this stands for resin coated), you can safely assume it is not archival and cannot be made archival. Many people using RC paper feel that if the print is processed properly and stored carefully it will last a very long time. It is certainly faster and easier to work with RC paper and may be worth the risk. I have made thousands of RC prints, but I do not expect them to last even 50 years. I have processed them and stored them carefully just in case they really do last for many years. To make an archival print in black and white is not too difficult. In color it is very complex and for all practical purposes impossible in a home darkroom.
