Ilford Multigrade RC Pearl vs Warmtone Pearl Paper
By The Flash Centre | Published: 2026-10-30
Category: Comparisons
Compare Ilford Multigrade RC Portfolio Pearl and Warmtone Pearl darkroom papers. Learn the key differences and which suits your black-and-white printing style.
Quick answer
Choose Ilford Multigrade RC Portfolio Pearl for a neutral, double-weight feel with fast drying, or Warmtone Pearl for a warm image tone on a warm-tinted base. Your choice depends on whether you prioritize tonal warmth or a classic neutral look.
Why paper weight and tone matter
The two papers differ in weight and base tint. Portfolio Pearl is a double-weight RC paper, giving it the rigidity and premium feel of fibre-based paper while keeping the quick-drying convenience of RC. Warmtone Pearl is a medium-weight 190gsm RC paper. If you handle prints often or plan to mount them, the heavier Portfolio Pearl may feel more substantial.
Warmtone Pearl produces a warm image tone on a warm white base tint, which suits portraits or fine-art prints where a subtle warmth adds character. Portfolio Pearl offers the classic neutral black-and-white look that many traditional darkroom printers prefer.
Choosing between the two
- Tone preference: If you want a warm image tone on a warm white base, choose Warmtone Pearl. If you prefer a neutral black-and-white look, choose Portfolio Pearl.
- Weight and feel: Portfolio Pearl is double-weight, offering a heavier, more rigid feel. Warmtone Pearl is medium-weight at 190gsm, which is lighter and may be more flexible. Consider how often you handle prints and whether you need extra stiffness for mounting.
- Printing convenience: Both are resin-coated, so they dry quickly and lie flat. Portfolio Pearl adds a premium feel without sacrificing RC convenience.
Product facts
- Ilford Multigrade RC Warmtone Pearl Paper (Select Sheet & Pack Size): Ilford Multigrade RC Warmtone Pearl is a medium-weight 190gsm resin-coated paper with a warm image tone on a warm white base tint. The warm tone gives prints a distinctive, slightly sepia character that can enhance portraiture and fine-art work.
Ilford Multigrade RC Warmtone Pearl Paper (Select Sheet & Pack Size) - Ilford Multigrade RC Portfolio Pearl Paper (Select Sheet & Pack Size): Ilford Multigrade RC Portfolio Pearl is a premium double-weight resin-coated paper, reformulated and relaunched in 2021, combining the rigidity of fibre paper with the convenience of RC. The extra weight and stiffness make it easier to handle and give prints a more substantial, premium feel, similar to fibre-based papers.
Ilford Multigrade RC Portfolio Pearl Paper (Select Sheet & Pack Size)
Which paper fits you?
Best for
- Portrait and fine-art printers who want a warm, subtle tone in their black-and-white prints.
- Darkroom users who value the convenience of RC paper but want a more substantial, double-weight feel.
Not for
- Printers who want a strictly neutral black-and-white look without any warmth in the base or image tone.
- Those who prefer a lighter-weight paper for easier handling or specific mounting requirements.
