Polacolor process

photography

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

July 2, 2026

Quick Summary

The Polacolor process is a type of instant-picture photography developed by Polaroid. It utilizes multiple layers of silver halide emulsions, each sensitive to a different color (blue, green, and red). These layers are backed by dye-developer compounds. After exposure, an alkaline jelly activates these compounds, causing them to migrate. In exposed areas, the dye-developer forms a negative image and anchors in place. In unexposed areas, the dye-developer migrates to a receiving layer, forming a positive color image. This process allows for full-color prints to develop in about one minute.12

The Polacolor process was also adapted into single-sheet, or integral, films where all layers are within a single unit. This system includes opacifying dyes and pigment to protect the negative layers during processing outside the camera.1

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

2 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

technology of photography
The Polacolor process
Polaroid colour film has a larger number of active layers, including a blue-sensitive silver halide emulsion backed by a layer consisting of a yellow dye–developer compound, a green-sensitive layer backed by a layer of magenta dye–developer, and a red-sensitive layer backed by a…
Read More
Polaroid colour film has a larger number of active layers, including a blue-sensitive silver halide emulsion backed by a layer consisting of a yellow dye–developer compound, a green-sensitive layer backed by a layer of magenta dye–developer, and a red-sensitive layer backed by a…
Read More