Effects — Print
Mezzotint effect
A grainy, velvety engraving look built from fine random noise. Adjust grain size and contrast, and pick your ink and paper colours.
- Status
- Live
- Category
- Settings
- 4
What is the Mezzotint effect?
Mezzotint is an intaglio printmaking technique invented in the 17th century. The printmaker roughens a metal plate evenly with tiny pits, then smooths areas to create lighter tones, so the image emerges from darkness. The prints have rich, velvety blacks and soft gradations.
The Mezzotint effect recreates that texture with fine grain across the photo. Larger grain gives a rougher, more graphic result; smaller grain stays closer to the original photograph.
Mezzotint settings
- Grain size
- Contrast
- Ink
- Paper
Best photos for it
- Moody portraits and low-key lighting
- Night scenes, architecture and landscapes with deep shadows
- Vintage book-plate or gothic looks
Tips for better results
- Tip 01
Raise contrast for dramatic darks; lower it for a softer, dreamier print.
- Tip 02
Dark ink on warm paper reads as antique. Try light ink on dark paper for a ghostly negative.
- Tip 03
Use photos with plenty of tonal range; flat lighting gives a flat result.
Common questions
How is mezzotint different from halftone?
Halftone arranges marks on a regular grid. Mezzotint uses random grain, so it looks organic with no visible grid or angle.
Similar effects
- StippleBuild your photo from thousands of tiny dots, like a pointillist ink drawing. Set density and dot size, and choose ink and paper.Available
- Linocut / engravingCarve your photo into engraved lines. Control line spacing, wave, wavelength and angle for linocut and engraving looks.Available
- Xerox / photocopyGive photos the high-contrast, gritty look of a photocopier. Set the threshold, add toner noise and choose your ink and paper colours.Available
Also searched as: Mezzotint filter, Grain engraving effect.