Split-Grade Enlarger Printing on Fiber Paper

Split-grade printing is an advanced darkroom enlarging method where a single piece of variable-contrast fiber paper receives two separate exposures: one through a soft Grade 00 filter (controlling highlight detail) and one through a hard Grade 5 filter (controlling deep shadow black density).

The Two-Filter Exposure Strategy

By decoupling highlight and shadow exposure adjustments, printers eliminate complex burning and dodging steps. First, perform a test strip with Grade 00 to lock in delicate highlight tones (e.g. cloud textures or bright skin highlights). Next, perform a second exposure through Grade 5 to set deep black accent points without darkening midtones.