FOMASPEED VAR 311 11×14” – Premium Quality RC Paper (25 Sheets)

Introduction:

The FOMASPEED VAR 311 11×14” photo paper is a trusted, high-quality option for photographers who want consistent, premium results in black-and-white darkroom printing. Manufactured by Foma Bohemia, one of the oldest European photographic material manufacturers, this resin-coated (RC) paper is widely used by both beginners and professional printers who want a reliable, fast-working, and beautifully toned photographic paper. Whether you’re printing everyday images, test prints, archival-quality darkroom enlargements, or artistic black-and-white photographs, FOMASPEED VAR 311 11×14” delivers the clarity, contrast, and tonal accuracy needed for exceptional prints.

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What Makes FOMASPEED VAR 311 11×14” Unique?

One of the strongest advantages of the FOMASPEED VAR 311 11×14” paper is its variable contrast (multigrade) capability. This allows users to control contrast from soft to hard using standard multigrade filters or color heads. With a glossy finish, images come out sharp, brilliant, and detailed—making this paper perfect for portraits, landscapes, fine-art work, and exhibition prints. The resin-coated base ensures quick processing, fast drying, and dimensional stability.

This combination of advanced coating, variable contrast layers, and excellent surface finish makes FOMASPEED VAR 311 11×14” one of the most versatile darkroom papers available today.

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Real Technical Features of FOMASPEED VAR 311 11×14”

Here are the official characteristics that help FOMASPEED VAR 311 11×14” stand out:

1. Resin-Coated (RC) Base

RC papers are popular for their durability, flat drying, and resistance to curling. With the FOMASPEED VAR 311 RC base, users enjoy:

• Faster processing times
• Easier handling
• Greater longevity
• Excellent dimensional stability

This makes it perfect for high-volume darkroom workflows.

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2. Variable Contrast (Multigrade) Capability

The FOMASPEED VAR 311 11×14” paper works with:

• Ilford Multigrade Filters
• Foma Contrast Filters
• Color enlarger heads (dichroic filters)

This gives you full control over grading from 00 (soft) to 5 (hard). Multigrade flexibility is essential for darkroom printers who want to fine-tune shadow detail, highlight control, and midtone richness.

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3. Glossy Finish for Maximum Sharpness

A glossy surface provides:

• Higher perceived sharpness
• Greater contrast
• Deeper blacks
• Crisper whites
• Excellent detail reproduction

The glossy surface of FOMASPEED VAR 311 11×14” makes it ideal for prints needing high brilliance and professional presentation quality.

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4. Neutral to Slightly Warm Image Tone

The FOMASPEED VAR 311 11×14” paper produces images with a neutral base tone and slightly warm image tone when developed in certain chemistry. This makes it suitable for:

• Portrait photography
• Artistic and fine-art printing
• Traditional darkroom aesthetics

Different developers like Foma’s own Fomatol, Adox Adotol, or Ilford Multigrade can shift the tonality slightly to suit artistic needs.

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5. Compatible with All Standard Darkroom Chemicals

The FOMASPEED VAR 311 11×14” photo paper works well with:

• Ilford ID-11 / Multigrade developers
• Foma Fomatol PW or LQN
• Adox Neutol
• Kodak Dektol

This wide compatibility makes workflow smooth and customizable.

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Who Should Use FOMASPEED VAR 311 11×14”?

This premium RC paper is ideal for:

• Darkroom beginners who want easy, predictable results.
• Students learning contrast control and printing techniques.
• Professional printers working on client or exhibition prints.
• Film photography enthusiasts who love traditional glossy B&W prints.
• Fine-art photographers who need consistent, reliable paper surfaces.

With its balance of flexibility and performance, FOMASPEED VAR 311 11×14” fits every darkroom environment—from home darkrooms to professional labs.

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Printing Experience with FOMASPEED VAR 311 11×14”

Using the FOMASPEED VAR 311 11×14” in the enlarger delivers:

• Smooth tonal gradation
• Strong highlight retention
• Deep, rich blacks
• A natural photographic look

Shadow detail is excellent, especially when working at softer grades. At harder grades, the paper delivers striking contrast without losing tonal fidelity. Dry-down effect is minimal because of the RC base. What you see wet is extremely close to the final dry print—an important benefit for printing accuracy.

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Recommended Developers & Toners

✔ Best Developers

• Foma Fomatol LQN – warm tone
• Ilford Multigrade – neutral tone
• Adox Neutol ECO – crisp, neutral blacks
• Kodak Dektol – classic deep blacks

✔ Works Well with Toners

The FOMASPEED VAR 311 11×14” paper responds beautifully to:

• Selenium Toner (deepens blacks, increases permanence)
• Sepia Toner (warm brown artistic tone)
• Blue or Copper toners for creative variation

Some Useful Links

• Explore more Fomaspeed RC Papers: 
• Check out FOMA Fomatol Developers: 
• Browse Darkroom Enlarging Accessories: 

 Learn More

• Official FOMA Bohemia Website:
  https://www.foma.cz/en

• Multigrade Printing Guide (Ilford Photo):
  https://www.ilfordphoto.com/guide-to-multigrade-paper/

• Darkroom Paper Toning Techniques (Digitaltruth Photo):
  https://www.digitaltruth.com/techdata/toner.php

Why Photographers Prefer FOMASPEED VAR 311 11×14”?

The reliability, consistent emulsion quality, and excellent price-performance ratio make the FOMASPEED VAR 311 11×14” a trusted choice. It delivers the classic black-and-white look while offering the convenience of RC printing. With its multigrade capabilities, almost any lighting situation, film type, or exposure challenge can be corrected in the darkroom. For photographers who want the perfect balance of affordability, durability, and image quality, FOMASPEED VAR 311 11×14” is one of the best RC paper options in its class.

Conclusion

The FOMASPEED VAR 311 11×14” is an outstanding choice for photographers who demand reliability, tonal accuracy, and professional-level results from their black-and-white darkroom prints. Its resin-coated base, multigrade flexibility, and glossy finish make it a perfect balance of convenience and image quality. Whether you’re a beginner learning darkroom printing or a professional producing exhibition-grade work, FOMASPEED VAR 311 11×14” delivers consistent depth, detail, and beauty in every print. With long-lasting performance, compatibility with all major developers, and a proven track record among darkroom artists, FOMASPEED VAR 311 remains one of the most versatile and dependable RC papers available today.

If you want exceptional tonal control, brilliant clarity, and a premium printing experience, FOMASPEED VAR 311 is the ideal choice for your darkroom workflow.

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 Top Important FAQs

1. Is the FOMASPEED VAR 311 11×14” suitable for beginners?

Yes. Its forgiving exposure latitude and multigrade flexibility make it excellent for beginners.

2. Does the paper dry flat?

Yes. The RC base ensures quick drying and minimal curling.

3. Can I use it with Ilford Multigrade filters?

Absolutely. The FOMASPEED VAR 311 11×14” is fully compatible with all major multigrade filter systems.

4. What finish does this paper have?

It has a glossy finish, ideal for sharp, bright prints.

5. Is this paper archival?

RC papers are not as archival as fiber-based papers, but with proper washing and toning, prints can last decades.

6. How many sheets are included?

This pack includes 25 sheets of 11×14-inch premium RC paper.