Photographic paper is paper coated with a light-sensitive chemical mixture of gelatin-silver, this surface, once exposed to light from enlarger will create a photographic print or a 'photo'.

Photographic paper consists of a light-sensitive emulsion, consisting of silver halide salts suspended gelatin  that is coated onto the surface of paper, resin coated paper or polyester paper-like support. There are two main types of photographic paper:

• Black and White Photographic Paper
  Photographic paper used for 'black and white' prints; the emulsion is normally sensitised to blue and green light, but is insensitive to wavelengths longer than 600nm in order to facilitate handling under a amber or red safelight.
   
• Color Photographic Paper
  In photographic paper used for color prints, the emulsion layers are sensitive to red, green and blue light, respectively producing cyan, magenta and yellow dye during processing.

You should always ensure that use the right type of darkroom safelight for your particular type of photographic paper. This is very important, the manufactuer will specify what filter to use on the packaging.

Photography paper can be purchased from any good Photography Supplies Store or for more information about working in a dark room see: Darkroom Photography Equipment.