Experimenting: Polaroid Photolab and Polaroid Transfers

Polaroid emulsion transfers are a new process for me, but, I thought it would be fun to share some of the lessons I’ve learned so far.

(First, we are playing with chemicals so protect your skin and eyes accordingly)

I used:

• Polaroid Lab

• iPhone

• soft paint brush

• one casserole pan: other blogs suggest proper equipment. I like to use St. Vinnies.

• scissors

• warm water

• Strathmore linen finish acrylic paper.

• Prepare fresh Polaroids.
  • I was finding that even day old prints were harder to work with.

• There are a lot of editing opportunities to explore prior to printing with the lab. Color correction, adding artifacts, custom filters etc. I found that it was fun to explore the possibilities, but I had to pull myself back. I am an artist and as much fun as all that is, it is mostly unnecessary.

• I found that cutting out the image just about as soon as it was done developing allowed the cover sheet to lift off easier.
  • When I used day old Polaroids they were ripping or they were sticking to the cover sheet and the lifting process didn’t go as well

• The emulsion will lift from the backing in warm water.
  • Working with the fresh Polaroid, the emulsion lifts fairly quickly
  • Don’t use boiling water. I made a booger.
  • By the time I got to the third polaroid the lift was near perfect. There does seem to be a correlation between timing and how easy the process goes.

• Some tutorials say to use two water baths, one hot water and one cold.
  • I found for myself that one tray is enough.
  • I also found that less water is helpful. just enough to cover the paper

• I’m using a heavy weight paper made to take acrylic paint. It has a lovely texture to it. And Im using the brush to help move the emulsion around.

• When you get it where you want you’ll have to learn a technique for yourself to pin it to the paper while lifting it out of the water.
  • A little water reintroduced will lift any problem areas▪️

Artist, Wanderer, Homebody
Lover of Cats

Taryn Okesson

Enter Your Email For a Newsletter with Book Recommendations and More