Print Film / Print Stock / Release Print Film

negative film intermediate answer print release print interpositive

Low-sensitivity photographic film stock designed specifically for producing projection prints from camera negatives or intermediates – features high contrast, fine grain, and optimized color characteristics for theatrical presentation, with different stocks for different projection requirements.

What is Print Film?

Print Film (Kopierfilm) is a specialized film stock for the creation of projection prints. This positive film is copied from the original negative or an internegative and is the material that is projected in cinemas.

Basic Principle

Aspect	Description
Type	Positive stock
Sensitivity	Very low
Contrast	High
Purpose	Projection

Properties

Property	Description
ISO	Approx. 3-6
Grain	Very fine
Resolution	High
Color Reproduction	Optimized for screen

Print vs. Camera Film

Aspect	Print Film	Camera Film
Sensitivity	Very low	High
Exposure Time	Contact/Optical	Real-Time
Contrast	High	Variable
Use	Copying	Recording

Types of Print Film

Type	Use
Color Print	Color release prints
B&W Print	Black and white prints
Soundtrack Print	With soundtrack area
Archive Print	Long-term storage

Kodak Print Stocks

Stock	Description
Vision Premier	Flagship
2383	Standard Color Print
2302	Fine Grain
Discontinued	Many discontinued

Fuji Print Stocks

Stock	Description
Eterna-CP	Cinema Print
F-CP	Standard
Archive	Archiving
Status	Production discontinued

Printing Process

Step	Description
Timing	Color correction
Printing	Contact or optical
Development	ECN-2 (Negative) / ECP (Print)
QC	Quality control

Printing Methods

Method	Description
Contact Printing	Film on film
Optical Printing	With lens
Wet Gate	With fluid
Dry Gate	Standard

Answer Print

Aspect	Description
Definition	First corrected print
Purpose	Approval check
Corrections	Timing adjustments
Approval	By director/DoP

Release Print

Aspect	Description
Definition	Projection print
Quantity	For theatrical release
Quality	Production standard
Distribution	To cinemas

Check Print

Aspect	Description
Definition	Test print
Purpose	Quality control
Timing	During production
Use	Before mass production

Soundtrack on Print

Element	Description
Optical Track	Analog light track
Dolby Digital	Between perforations
DTS	Timecode reference
SDDS	Outer edges

Handling

Aspect	Measure
Storage	Cool, dry
Projection	Clean projector
Inspection	Regularly
Repair	If damaged

Wear and Tear

Factor	Effect
Screenings	Scratches, abrasion
Splicewear	Splice points
Projector Damage	Tears, burn marks
Lifespan	Limited screenings

Cost Factors

Factor	Description
Raw Stock	Film material
Printing	Copying process
Distribution	Shipping
Quantity	Per print

Print Quantities (Historical)

Release	Typical Quantity
Wide Release	3,000-4,000+ prints
Limited	500-1,000
Arthouse	50-200
Festival	1-5

Digital Replacement

Aspect	Change
DCP	Replaces print
Distribution	Hard drive instead of film
Cost	Significantly lower
Quality	Consistent

Today

Print film has been almost completely replaced by digital projection (DCP). Only a few cinemas still project 35mm prints, mainly for retrospectives, film archives, and enthusiast screenings. The production of print film has largely been discontinued by major manufacturers, with only specialized labs still producing prints for archives and restorations.

From the crafts

Perspectives

Cinematographer

Print Film ist das letzte Glied in der photochemischen Kette. Die Eigenschaften des Print-Stocks bestimmen, wie mein Negativbild letztlich auf der Leinwand aussieht.

Director

Der Print Film ist es, den das Publikum sieht. Die Qualität dieser Kopien – Schärfe, Farben, Kontrast – prägt den finalen Eindruck meines Films.

Producer

Print Film war ein großer Kostenfaktor bei Kinostarts. Hunderte Kopien für den Release bedeuteten erhebliche Labor- und Materialkosten vor der digitalen Ära.