Fomabrom VAR 111 Stunning Baryta 9.5×12” – 50 Sheets

Product Description:

Discover the high-performance paper choice for darkroom enthusiasts and fine art printers — the Fomabrom VAR 111 Stunning Baryta 9.5×12”. This premium archival photographic paper offers a truly exceptional print experience: the combination of a double-weight baryta fibre base, a variable contrast emulsion, and outstanding tonal depth makes it a trusted choice for serious black & white photography.

From the outset, you’ll appreciate that the Fomabrom VAR 111 Stunning Baryta 9.5×12” 50 Sheets size is generous and the 50-sheet pack gives you enough volume for project work or fine art print runs. The 24 × 30.5 cm (9.5″ × 12″) format is especially suited to enlargements, portfolios, gallery prints or any creative output needing extra space and presence.

Under the hood, the Fomabrom VAR 111 Stunning Baryta 9.5×12” paper is built on a classic baryta (FB) base — a fibre-based paper coated with barium sulphate (baryta) providing a bright white, smooth surface with excellent reflectance and tonal richness. According to the manufacturer, this is a black-and-white variable-contrast enlarging photographic paper on a baryta paper base. foma.cz+2foma.cz+2 The double weight format gives added sturdiness, making the paper more rigid and suitable for high-quality handling and presentation.

What stands out is the variable contrast (VC) feature: the Fomabrom VAR 111 Stunning Baryta 9.5×12” allows you to control image contrast by using colour filters or different enlarger light settings — giving you from “extra soft” to “ultra hard” grades via the multigrade emulsion. fomafoto.com This flexibility makes it ideal for creative professionals who want full control over contrast and tonality.

For the finish, the paper is typically available in a glossy surface (also in matte versions) and offers superb blacks, a rich half-tone scale and excellent silver content for archival quality. freestylephoto.com+1 When you print with the Fomabrom VAR 111 Stunning Baryta 9.5×12”, you’ll see crisp detail, deep blacks, and a subtle warmth in tone (depending on developer selection) that gives a classic look suitable for exhibition prints, alternative processes, or archival collections.

Key Features at a Glance

• Format: 24 × 30.5 cm (9.5″ × 12″) — generous size for creative output
• Quantity: 50 sheets — ample for multiple prints or series
• Base: Fibre-based baryta (FB) double weight — premium rigidity & quality
• Emulsion: Variable contrast (VC) black & white photo paper — full control of contrast
• Surface options: Glossy (and sometimes matte) to suit your aesthetic
• Ideal uses: Fine art prints, portfolios, gallery prints, darkroom enlargements
• Archival quality: Bright white base, rich half-tone, excellent stability foma.cz+1

Why Choose This Paper?

When you opt for the Fomabrom VAR 111 Stunning Baryta 9.5×12”, you’re choosing a paper that stands above standard resin-coated (RC) or graded papers in several ways:

1. Archival reference – Fibre base baryta papers have long been considered archival and museum-grade because of their stability and rich tonal scale.
2. Creative flexibility – The variable contrast nature means you don’t need separate grade papers; you can adjust contrast for each print deliberately.
3. Presentation quality – The double weight means the paper feels substantial, flat, and holds up to toning, handling, and display.
4. Toning compatibility – This paper responds well to toning processes (selenium toning, gold, etc) and keeps excellent image stability.
5. Professional aesthetic – A bright white baryta surface, deep blacks and rich mid-tones make prints using the Fomabrom VAR 111 Stunning Baryta 9.5×12” look like fine-art prints.

How to Use It Effectively

To get the best results from the Fomabrom VAR 111 Stunning Baryta 9.5×12”, here are some best-practice tips:

• Always use fibre-based compatible chemistry and avoid aggressive agitation; this helps preserve tonal scale and longevity.
• Test contrast filters: because it’s variable contrast, use filters (e.g., yellow-red) in your enlarger to dial the contrast you want — take test strips.
• Consider the paper’s exposure latitude: the substrate has excellent latitude, so slight over- or under-exposures can still give usable results.
• For toning: first fix and wash thoroughly, then tone using selenium or gold toners to shift image tone and improve archival stability. The Fomabrom VAR 111 Stunning Baryta 9.5×12” is well-suited to this.
• Store prints in archival sleeves and dry flat; the double weight base will hold up well to mounting or display.

Pairing & Accessories

Since you’re investing in the Fomabrom VAR 111 Stunning Baryta 9.5×12”, you might want to pair it with high-quality darkroom chemistry (master series toners, archival developers) and mounting supplies. As you create a workflow, consider linking this description internally to your other product pages (for example: your archival sleeves, toners or binder files). For instance: check out our [clear file polypropylene sleeves – archival-quality film storage].

For more technical background on baryta papers and fibre-based print media, you can visit the manufacturer’s site: FOMA Bohemia – Fomabrom Variant Technical Info.

Who Is This Paper For?

• Fine art photographers who print in the darkroom and want the best possible output.
• Galleries and exhibitors who require premium print stock with presentation quality.
• Educators and advanced students in darkroom workshops using multigrade fibre papers.
• Alternative process practitioners who need a high-grade fibre base for toning.
• Anyone upgrading from standard RC papers to a real fibre-based baryta substrate.

Some Useful Link:

• Link of our darkroom chemistry page: e.g., “fixer & toners for baryta paper”
• Link of our archival mounting accessories page: “archival sleeves”
• Link of our other photographic paper listings: e.g., “Ilford direct positive FB paper”, “Foma Multigrade filter set”
• Link of our bulk film loader or film clip sets, to build broad site-depth and cross-sell.

Learn More:

• FOMA Bohemia – Fomabrom Variant official details – provides technical description, contrast range, baryta base info.
• Consider adding a link to a tutorial on baryta paper printing for darkroom: e.g., Darkroom Mastery – Fibre Based Baryta Printing Techniques (hypothetical example)
• Link to a general explanation of multigrade variable contrast papers: e.g., B&W Darkroom Info – Variable Contrast Paper Basics.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is the difference between the Fomabrom VAR 111 Stunning Baryta 9.5×12” 50 Sheets and standard RC papers?
The fibre-based baryta base offers superior tonal range, deeper blacks, and archival properties compared to resin-coated (RC) papers. Additionally, many RC papers are fixed contrast grade; the Fomabrom VAR 111 offers variable contrast so you can control contrast grade per print.

2. Can I tone prints made on the Fomabrom VAR 111 Stunning Baryta 9.5×12”?
Yes — this paper is well suited for toning processes such as selenium, gold, or sulphur toning. Its fibre-base and chemistry respond well to toning without significant degradation. Use standard darkroom toning procedures.

3. What filter or enlarger settings should I use for this variable contrast paper?
Since it’s a variable contrast emulsion, you’ll want to perform test strips using different contrast filters (e.g., yellow-red filters) or multigrade heads. The paper supports a wide contrast range, so you can achieve from soft to hard contrast grades — test to find your desired look.

4. Is the 24×30.5 cm (9.5″×12″) size standard and what’s the advantage?
Yes, 24×30.5 cm (9.5″×12″) is a generous size, ideal for enlargements, portfolios, or fine art prints. The size gives framing flexibility and allows for larger print real estate without stepping up to very large formats.

5. How should I store and mount prints on this paper for longevity?
After printing, thoroughly wash the prints, air-dry flat, and store flat or mounted using archival boards. Use acid-free sleeves or archival albums. Because it is double weight fibre-based, prints are less prone to curling, but still require care in handling and storage for optimum longevity.

6. Does this paper require special developer or processing conditions?
While standard black & white chemistry is compatible, using high-quality fibre-paper compatible developers and following recommended times/temperatures will yield best results. Because the paper is thicker (double weight), ensure adequate agitation and rinsing for optimal performance and longevity.