ID-13 two-part developer

Description

Ilford’s two-part amidol developer in two bottles. A deep neutral black and amidol’s characteristic ability to work without alkali.

What makes amidol interesting

It is one of the few developing agents that works without alkali — amidol is active in a neutral and even slightly acid solution. The result is a very dense neutral black that metol/hydroquinone formulas struggle to reach, which is why printers working on fibre paper prize it.

About the two bottles

Mixed, it lasts hours rather than weeks — amidol oxidises fast. So the parts are stored apart and combined before a session; there is no point mixing a supply in advance.

Questions and answers

Why does the solution darken so quickly?

That is amidol. Mix only what one session needs, and do not store it mixed.