How to Make Polaroid Emulsion Lifts
Earlier this year I tried Polaroid emulsion lifts for the first time. An emulsion lift (or emulsion transfer) is when the emulsion layer is removed from a sheet of instant film and then transferred to a different surface.
I’ve always thought they would be hard to do and was surprised at how easy and fun it was, so I thought I’d put together a little step by step guide to making instant film lifts!

The Impossible Project sells a really rad kit to help you get started. The materials used in this tutorial all come in the Creative Kit.
Pretty easy right?! Here are a few things to keep in mind: make sure the water isn’t too hot. Use a thermometer to help you keep track. Once the film is out of the hot water it is very delicate, so handle it with care from there on out.
Update: Here’s a video about the same process:
About the author: Azuree Wiitala is a professional freelance photographer living in Chicago. You can find out more about her photographs and services through her website and blog. This article originally appeared here.