October 11, 2024: Thinner Photos?

I recently shared a tip about making instant-camera photos for games. One other fact that might be useful for folks: Inkjet photo paper is printed in layers. This means that, if you're careful, you can (perhaps depending on the photo paper) peel off the printed portion, resulting in a printed image that's much thinner than the original sheet of photo paper.

I generally accomplish the separation by wedging my fingernail into a corner of the sheet until I pry apart the two layers and then carefully peel them apart. With skill and some luck, the printed portion will (probably) curl but not crease.

I've found this useful for applications where full-thickness prints are too chunky (such as DVD or Blu-ray inserts), or as the basis for other customization options, such as using double-sided tape and another printout to make double-sided cards.

Photos separated this way will require some effort to "flatten" – again, putting them in a DVD case or using tape helps return some rigidity.

It's a technique I discovered in the past year or so that's made a big difference with some of my home papercraft efforts, and it might be useful to you. If so, please feel free to let me know on the forums!

-- Steven Marsh