Process Description

Produced by immersing a black-and-white print in an aniline dye solution. The dye was absorbed by the gelatin, uniformly coloring the film. There were several dye application techniques used, but the most popular involved immersing the film in a dye bath. A wide range of color options were available. Positive release prints could be made from different color sections which were individually dyed and joined together. First implemented in the 1890s, the technique reached its peak in the 1910s and 1920s, when most motion pictures featured tinting of some kind. The popularity of tinting resulted in the development of pre-tinted stocks produced by all the major film manufacturers. Tinting was also used in conjunction with toning, producing often beautiful two-color effects.		  

Identification Tip

Highlights are colored, while the positive image remains black. Color extends into the non-image area, directly affecting the emulsion layer. Dyes may have faded, sometimes unevenly.