Method of drying photographic materials

A method for drying photographic material from an initial moisture content to a desired final moisture content, comprising:

• providing a photographic material having an initial moisture content;
• heating, with a first heater stage, at least one side of said photographic material to achieve an intermediate moisture content in said material, said intermediate moisture content being less than the initial moisture content and greater than the desired final moisture content;
• measuring the intermediate moisture content of said material;
• providing an output signal corresponding to said intermediate moisture content to a control means;
• and
• heating the photographic material having the intermediate moisture content with a second heater stage to dry the photographic material to said desired final moisture content, wherein said heating with the second heater stage is controlled using said output signal and said desired final moisture content.