What Is Sepia Toner and How to Use It for B&W Prints
By Firstcall Photographic | Published: 2026-10-20
Category: How-to Guides
Learn what sepia toner does, how it works on black-and-white prints, and step-by-step instructions for using Fotospeed ST20 Sepia Toner in the darkroom.
Quick Answer
Sepia toner is a two-part chemical treatment that converts metallic silver in a black-and-white print into a warm brown compound, giving the image a classic sepia look. Use it after fixing and washing your print for a traditional, archival tone.
What Is Sepia Toner and How Does It Work?
Sepia toner works by first bleaching the silver image in the print, then redeveloping it with a toner solution that replaces the silver with a brown-toned compound. The result is a warm, archival image that resists fading better than a standard silver print.
The process is controllable: you can stop the toning at lighter or darker stages, but some toners like Fotospeed ST20 produce a fixed traditional sepia colour without variable control.
Why Tone Prints with Sepia?
Toning with sepia gives black-and-white prints a vintage, warm appearance that many photographers prefer for portraits, landscapes, or fine art. It also chemically stabilizes the image, making it more resistant to environmental pollutants and fading over time.
Sepia toning works on both fibre and resin-coated papers, so you can use it with your existing darkroom paper stock.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sepia Toner
- What papers can I use with sepia toner?
- Fotospeed ST20 works on both Fibre and Resin Coated black-and-white papers. Fibre papers absorb toner more deeply, giving richer tones, while RC papers tone more quickly and evenly.
- How do I mix Fotospeed ST20 Sepia Toner?
- Mix Part 1 (Bleach) with water at 1+9 to make the working bleach solution. Mix Part 2 (Toner) separately at 1+9 with water. Each 150ml bottle makes 1.5 litres of working solution. Use at room temperature (20°C). Always mix the two parts separately and in clean containers to avoid contamination.
- What is the step-by-step process for toning?
- 1. Fix and wash your print normally. 2. Immerse the print in the bleach solution until the image disappears (2–5 minutes). 3. Rinse briefly in water. 4. Transfer to the toner solution; the image will reappear in a warm brown tone over 2–5 minutes. 5. Wash thoroughly for 20–30 minutes and dry. Use a separate tray for each solution and rinse between steps to prevent cross-contamination.
- Can I control the sepia tone strength?
- Fotospeed ST20 gives a fixed traditional sepia tone with no variable control. If you want lighter or darker tones, you can remove the print from the toner earlier, but the colour will remain consistent in hue. For variable tones, use a different toner formulation.
- How long does the toned print last?
- Sepia-toned prints are more archival than standard silver prints. With proper fixing and washing, they can last for decades without significant fading. Store them in archival sleeves away from direct sunlight. Always test a scrap print first to confirm your times and results before toning a final print.
Product Used in This Guide
- Fotospeed ST20 Sepia Toner 150ml - Makes 1.5L: Fotospeed ST20 Sepia Toner produces a fixed sepia tone on both Fibre and Resin Coated B&W papers. It comprises two parts: Part 1 Bleach and Part 2 Toner. This means you get a consistent, traditional sepia colour without needing to adjust the tone strength, making it ideal for beginners or repeatable results.
Fotospeed ST20 Sepia Toner 150ml - Makes 1.5L
