How to Make a Polaroid Emulsion Lift on Watercolor Paper | Step-by-Step Guide

May 14, 2025

How to Do a Polaroid Emulsion Lift on Watercolor Paper | 

Step-by-Step Film Transfer

In this video, you'll learn how to create a beautiful Polaroid emulsion lift onto watercolor paper using simple tools and instant film. This classic analog technique lets you peel and transfer the delicate emulsion layer from a Polaroid photo to create one-of-a-kind, textured prints. Perfect for artists, photographers, and anyone who loves hands-on creative processes.

šŸŽžļø What You'll Learn: How to prep your Polaroid for lifting The ideal water temperature and timing Transferring the emulsion to watercolor paper Tips for shaping, smoothing, and drying Optional finishing ideas šŸ“ø Great for use in mixed media, fine art prints, or adding analog depth to your photography practice. If you enjoy experimental photography and alternative print techniques, be sure to like, subscribe, and hit the bell for more creative tutorials!

This Polaroid emulsion lift technique is the same handmade analog process behind the fine art prints in the Polaroid Emulsion Lift collection at Prints by JT ā€” including the Hyalite Canyon emulsion series and the Street Signs in Bozeman collection. Watch the full process below, then browse the finished work in the shop.

Want to Own One Instead of Making One? The emulsion lift process is meditative and rewarding ā€” but it's also time-consuming and unpredictable. If you'd rather own a finished piece, the Polaroid Emulsion Lift Print collection features museum-quality reproductions of original one-of-one lifts, plus occasional original pieces when available. Each is printed on archival media and ships ready to hang from Bozeman, Montana. Browse Polaroid Emulsion Lift Prints ā†’

Want to Own One Instead of Making One? 

 The emulsion lift process is meditative and rewarding ā€” but it's also time-consuming and unpredictable. If you'd rather own a finished piece, the Polaroid Emulsion Lift Print collection features museum-quality reproductions of original one-of-one lifts, plus occasional original pieces when available. Each is printed on archival media and ships ready to hang from Bozeman, Montana. Browse Polaroid Emulsion Lift Prints ā†’