Uploaded February 2022 | Updated September 2026, 15 hours ago
Carbon prints are a fascinating process that creates beautiful, textured prints. What makes these so unique in the history of photographic processes?
A carbon print is made by soaking a “Carbon Tissue.” Which has a thin layer of dried gelatin that has colored pigment added to it in a chemical like potassium dichromate. This means you can add any color pigment you want. For this print I’m using black sumi ink as my pigment. But you can experiment with different pigments and inks to create different colored carbon tissue.
In places where light strikes the carbon tissue, the gelatin will harden. When we want to reveal the final print, that means we just need to wash away any of the gelatin that hasn’t hardened with warm water. No chemicals are needed for developing.
Finally, because the print is made by selective hardening, the finished print has a relief which has a sculptural feeling to it. The hardened gelatin gives it a unique texture.
While the process to make the tissue can be a bit complicated, the materials needed are basic and the results are simply beautiful.
If you’re ready to learn to make your own Carbon prints, join us in the Eastman Museum Darkroom: eastman.org/Darkroom.
Carbon prints are a fascinating process that creates beautiful, textured prints. What makes these so unique in the history of photographic processes?
A carbon print is made by soaking a “Carbon Tissue.” Which has a thin layer of dried gelatin that has colored pigment added to it in a chemical like potassium dichromate. This means you can add any color pigment you want. For this print I’m using black sumi ink as my pigment. But you can experiment with different pigments and inks to create different colored carbon tissue.
In places where light strikes the carbon tissue, the gelatin will harden. When we want to reveal the final print, that means we just need to wash away any of the gelatin that hasn’t hardened with warm water. No chemicals are needed for developing.
Finally, because the print is made by selective hardening, the finished print has a relief which has a sculptural feeling to it. The hardened gelatin gives it a unique texture.
While the process to make the tissue can be a bit complicated, the materials needed are basic and the results are simply beautiful.
If you’re ready to learn to make your own Carbon prints, join us in the Eastman Museum Darkroom: eastman.org/Darkroom.
