Handschiegl color process

Aniline dyes were applied to a black-and-white print using gelatin imbibition matrices.

The process was invented in 1916 for Cecil B. DeMille's production of Joan the Woman (1917) by engraver Max Handschiegl and partner Alvin W. Wyckoff, with assistance from Loren Taylor.

Handschiegl described the invention thus: A separate, black-and-white print for each color to be applied was made.

This dyed matrix film was brought into contact, in accurate register, with a positive print, to which the dye transferred in the appropriate areas.

The print made several passes through the dye transfer machines, in contact with a separate matrix for each color.