Ilford Multigrade RC Deluxe Paper Sizes Compared
By Borge's Imaging — Shop Photography, Printing and Studio Gear in Melbourne Borge's Imaging | Published: 2026-10-18
Category: Comparisons
Compare Ilford Multigrade RC Deluxe Gloss and Satin papers in 8x10 sheets. Find out which size and surface suits your darkroom printing style and budget.
Quick answer
For most darkroom printers, the Ilford Multigrade RC Deluxe Gloss 8x10 100-sheet pack offers the best balance of price and versatility, while the Satin finish is the better choice if you want reduced glare and easier handling.
Gloss vs Satin: what changes in the darkroom
The main difference between Ilford Multigrade RC Deluxe Gloss and Satin is how they handle light and fingerprints. Glossy paper gives you maximum contrast and a classic wet-look finish, but it shows every smudge and dust speck. Satin has a subtle texture that cuts reflections, making it more forgiving when handling prints and easier to display under bright lights.
Both surfaces share the same 190gsm resin-coated base and neutral tint, so your exposure and development times carry over. The choice is about presentation and handling, not chemistry.
Why sheet count matters more than you think
Ilford Multigrade RC Deluxe comes in 25, 100, and 250-sheet packs for the Satin finish, while Gloss is available in a 100-sheet pack. If you're just starting out or print occasionally, a 25-sheet pack lets you test the surface without committing to a large box. If you print regularly, the larger packs cut the cost per sheet noticeably.
The 100-sheet Gloss pack is priced lower than the equivalent Satin pack, which makes it the value pick for printers who don't need the matte look. The 250-sheet Satin pack is the most economical per sheet, but only makes sense if you're sure Satin is your paper.
How to choose your Ilford Multigrade RC Deluxe pack
- Gloss 100-sheet pack: Pick this if you want maximum contrast and the lowest cost per sheet. Be prepared to handle prints by the edges and store them in sleeves to avoid fingerprints.
- Satin 25-sheet pack: Choose this if you're new to darkroom printing or unsure about the Satin surface. It's a small investment to test how it looks under your enlarger and in your display lighting. Keep a test print from this pack to compare with Gloss later.
- Satin 100-sheet pack: Go with this if you already know you like Satin and print a moderate amount. It's a good middle ground between the small pack and the bulk box.
- Satin 250-sheet pack: Choose this if you print frequently and have storage space. You'll get the best price per sheet, but you're committing to a large quantity of one surface. Only buy this if you've already confirmed Satin is your preferred finish.
Ilford Multigrade RC Deluxe options at a glance
- Ilford Multigrade RC Deluxe Gloss 8x10" 100 Sheets: Ilford Multigrade RC Deluxe Gloss 8x10, 100 sheets, 190gsm resin-coated paper with a neutral base tint. This is the highest-contrast surface in the lineup and the most affordable per sheet for 8x10 printing, so it's great for producing crisp, classic black-and-white prints.
Ilford Multigrade RC Deluxe Gloss 8x10" 100 Sheets - Ilford Multigrade RC Deluxe Satin 8x10" 25 Sheets: Ilford Multigrade RC Deluxe Satin 8x10, 25 sheets, 190gsm resin-coated paper with a neutral base tint. The 25-sheet pack is a low-commitment way to test the Satin finish, which reduces glare and hides fingerprints better than Gloss.
Ilford Multigrade RC Deluxe Satin 8x10" 25 Sheets - Ilford Multigrade RC Deluxe Satin 8x10" 100 Sheets: Ilford Multigrade RC Deluxe Satin 8x10, 100 sheets, 190gsm resin-coated paper with a neutral base tint. This is the mid-size Satin option for printers who want the matte look without jumping to a bulk box; it balances cost per sheet with storage convenience.
- Ilford Multigrade RC Deluxe Satin 8x10" 250 Sheets: Ilford Multigrade RC Deluxe Satin 8x10, 250 sheets, 190gsm resin-coated paper with a neutral base tint. This is the most economical per sheet for Satin, but only worth it if you print in volume and have space to store a large box.
Which pack fits you?
Best for
- Printers who want classic high-contrast prints and the lowest cost per sheet: Gloss 100-sheet pack
- Darkroom beginners who want to try Satin without a big commitment: Satin 25-sheet pack
Not for
- Printers who dislike glare on their prints: Gloss is not for you
- Printers who need the lowest per-sheet cost in Satin: the 25-sheet pack is not the most economical
