What Is Peel Apart Film? How It Works and Where to Get It Today

Peel apart film is making a quiet but exciting comeback, and if you're into photography, this is something you don’t want to miss.

For years, peel apart film seemed like it was gone for good. But now, companies like Supersense and Light Lens Lab are bringing it back. The news has stirred up fresh excitement among film lovers, including us.

If you’re curious about what a peel apart film is, how it works, and where you can still shoot with it, we’re here to guide you through it. See why this vintage format still has a place in modern photography.

Part 1: What is Peel Apart Film? What Makes It Appealing?

You’re probably familiar with instant film, like the kind used in Polaroid or Instax cameras. After snapping a photo, you can see the image develop before your eyes. Just wait a moment, shake it a bit, and you’ll see the picture slowly appear.

Now, there’s another kind of instant film that works a little differently: peel apart film. After you take the shot, the photo develops between two layers. Once it’s ready, you peel them apart to reveal the image, just like the name suggests.

Peel apart film is a type of instant film that gives you a more hands-on experience than modern instant cameras. It was popularized by film brands like Fujifilm and Polaroid back in the day, and it offered beautiful, detailed prints with a unique texture and color profile.

Many photographers love it for its rich tones, retro aesthetic, and the satisfying ritual of peeling the film open to reveal the final shot. Even the unexpected imperfections sometimes give each photo a distinct character. It’s a favorite among analog lovers who enjoy the process as much as the final image.

Sadly, most major brands like Polaroid and Fujifilm have long discontinued their peel apart film lines. Some of the most beloved types were Fujifilm FP-100C, known for its vivid color reproduction, and FP-3000B, a high-speed black-and-white film praised for its deep contrast and sharp detail.

Popular Cameras That Support Peel Apart Film

Polaroid Land Cameras (designed for Type 100 peel apart film)

• Polaroid Land Camera 180
• Polaroid Land Camera 190
• Polaroid Land Camera 195
• Polaroid Land Camera 250

Fujifilm FP-Compatible Backs

• Mamiya Universal Press with Polaroid back
• Graflex Crown Graphic / Speed Graphic.

Note: Most of these cameras were originally built for Polaroid Type 100 or Fujifilm FP-100C/FP-3000B peel apart films. However, many still work with expired film or are used in modified photography setups and experimental work.

Part 2. How Does Peel Apart Film Work

The whole process of shooting and peeling the peel apart film is part of the fun. Here’s how you do it:

1. Insert the peel apart film (usually Polaroid Type 100 or Fujifilm FP-100C) into the back of your compatible camera.
2. Compose your image and press the shutter like you would with any film camera.
3. After shooting, pull out the small white tab to bring the film into position.
4. Pull the larger tab to feed the film through the rollers. This spreads developer chemicals evenly between the two layers.
5. Give it time to cook! This usually takes 15 to 90 seconds, depending on the film type and temperature.
6. Then, gently peel the film layers apart to reveal your photo. And you’re done

⚠️ A Few Things to Keep in Mind

• You can’t peel too fast or too slow. If you peel too fast, the chemicals might not spread properly. Peel too slowly, and you could end up with smudges or an overdeveloped image.
• Temperature can affect the development. In cold conditions, you may need to wait longer. In warm weather, development speeds up, so timing is key.

Part 3. Where to Buy Peel Apart Film Today

Peel apart film is rare these days, but not completely gone. The originals, like FP-100C or FP-3000B, are harder to find and often expensive on resale markets like eBay or Etsy.

What once sold for around $20 per pack can now go for over $100, depending on condition and expiration date. Some sellers even offer multi-packs at premium prices. For example, a five-pack of FP-100C once listed on Amazon for over $700 eventually sold, and currently, the stock there is wiped clean.

The current best-known effort to bring peel apart film back comes from Supersense, a Vienna-based company. They’ve been working to revive the format and have released a version that lets you shoot one image at a time, which is a big step, but still very limited in supply.

Try DIY Alternatives

As a creative workaround, some photographers are turning to DIY peel apart kits. These hacks let you create your own peel apart-style film using modified backs and creative chemistry setups. It’s possible, though, not the simplest route.

Or, if it’s the look you’re after, there are a few easy ways to recreate the peel apart film aesthetic using editing tricks and creative effects. We will cover that in detail in the next section.

Part 4. Recreate the Peel Apart Film Look in a Photo

If you can’t get your hands on real peel apart film, you can still capture that with a little editing. What you need is an editing tool like Wondershare Filmora to recreate the signature look of a peel apart film: faded colors, soft contrast, creamy highlights, and a slightly worn texture.

To recreate the classic peel apart film look, Filmora offers a full suite of color correction tools. You can fine-tune tones, adjust shadows and highlights, reduce contrast, add a soft fade, or warm up your image for that nostalgic feel.

Plus, with built-in filters, effects, and overlays that mimic vintage film styles, achieving that instant retro effect takes just a few clicks. You can also use the same techniques to give your videos the peel apart film look. And when you're done, you can keep using the software for other creative projects.

How to Get That Classic Peel-Apart Film Look in Your Photos

Step1Start a New Project and Set the Aspect Ratio

Once you’ve installed Filmora, launch the software and create a new project. For a classic instant film vibe, go with the 4:3 aspect ratio. It closely matches the proportions of old-school peel-apart prints.

Step2Import Your Photo

Click Import or drag and drop your photo into the media library. Then, place it on the timeline to begin editing.

Step3Add a White Background (optional)

If you want to recreate the iconic white border of peel-apart film, select your photo on the timeline, then go to Image > Basic in the settings panel. Enable the Background option and set the color to white. Adjust the photo position.

Step4Add a Tearing Effect

For an extra touch of realism, head to the Effects tab and search for "Neu Grunge Mobile Overlay." This effect adds a subtle white border, giving the impression that the photo was peeled apart.

Feel free to explore other vintage or film overlays in Filmora to customize the look even further.

Step5Apply a Vintage Filter

To recreate the signature peel-apart film look, head to the Filters tab and explore the options. Some great choices that mimic the feel of old instant film you can consider are:

• Blue Sky
• Nostalgia
• Movie 12
• Vintage Wash
• Cinemagic
• Greenfield
• B&W film (for black and white)

Add your selected filters to the timeline. Then, adjust the opacity if needed. Since Filmora supports multi-track editing, you can layer them to get the look you want.

Step6Fine-Tune with Color Correction

To take it further, you can manually tweak the colors. Select your image in the timeline, then go to Color > Basic. Adjust the following settings for a more authentic film effect:

• Temperature: +10 to +20 if you want to make it look warm, or -30 to -40 for a cooler look
• Tint: +5 to +10 (makes a slight green-magenta shift to balance the color cast)
• Vibrance: -10 to -20
• Saturation: -15 to -25
• Exposure: 0 or slightly lowered (-5 to -10)
• Brightness: -5 to -15
• Highlight: -20 to -30
• Vignette: -20 to -40

You can also fine-tune your image using HSL, Color Wheels, and Curves in Filmora for more advanced color grading control.

Step7Save and Export the Image

To save your edited photo, click the Snapshot button. You can choose where to save it and select either JPG or PNG format.

If you want to keep the effect as an animation, click Export instead and choose to save it as a video or GIF.

Part 5. The Latest on the Peel Apart Film Comeback

After years of waiting and wishful thinking, the peel-apart film is finally making a comeback. Supersense led the way with early revival efforts. And now, Light Lens Lab, a Chinese company known for making affordable Leica lens replicas, recently announced its plans to enter the film manufacturing industry, including the return of instant peel apart film.

Light Lens Lab revealed that a proprietary emulsion-coating machine they developed will allow them to be self-sufficient in producing new types of photographic and cinema film. These films will be released under a new brand name, though no launch date has been confirmed.

Conclusion

Peel apart film used to be a popular choice among instant photography fans for its beautiful prints and the satisfying, hands-on process of revealing each image. Though it disappeared from the mainstream for a while, its unique charm never truly faded.

Now, with companies like Supersense and Light Lens Lab working to bring it back, there's fresh hope for the future of peel apart film. Although the real film is still rare and hard to find, you can still recreate its signature look easily using editing tools like Filmora. Try it today and bring the timeless feel of peel apart film to your photo!