Options and Surface Finishes

Carbon prints can be customized to just about any surface finish and aesthetic the artist wishes to achieve. If you are interested in a specific finish or style of print not listed here, please contact me for more information. Here are a few “standard” options available:

Toning, Split Toning & Custom Pigments

Since essentially any pigment can be used for the carbon process, monochromatic images can be toned by adding another pigment to the black or split-toned by producing a separate color layer and targeting a particular tonality.

Matte

This is the most natural finish of a carbon print, where the characteristics of the pigments are most prominent. The color pigments are quite matte, while the blacks have a slight gloss to them, giving them a bit of definition and depth.

Flat Matte

This option looks most like a platinum print. A matting agent or a specific pigment can be used to achieve this look.

Luster

This finish is the natural appearance of a double transfer print, where all relief and gloss differential is eliminated. This looks similar to a silver print on a baryta or semi-gloss paper.

Glossy

More gloss can be added to a double transfer print, giving it a higher gloss.

Super Glossy

This can be achieved by treating the gelatin a bit differently than a standard double transfer print. This looks most like a high-gloss silver print or a glossy inkjet print.

Matte with Glossy Blacks

Unpigmented targeted gloss can be added to some images, producing more physical relief and adding depth to the final print. This is a truly stunning and unique option, but doesn’t work with all images.

Gilded Surface

Gold, silver, platinum, or copper leaf can be added to the surface of the final support, where the carbon image is then transferred on top of the gilded area.

*If would like a print with a gilded surface, please contact me for a customized quote.