Just beneath the three dye layers there is a layer of polyethylene plastic containing titanium dioxide pigment. At the bottom of the thick paper substrate, and on the back of the photograph itself, is a clear layer of polyethylene. This was the least light stable of the three traditional photographic processes tested. The substrate for this continuous tone photograph is paper. The photograph is softened and the paper distorted by water.
Heat makes the surface sticky.
There is only moderate gloss. 40x surface micrograph of Fujicolor The Canon color laser copy is not a continuous tone image. It is made from a series of tiny layers of color laid down in waves on the sheet of paper, as can be seen in the micrograph. They have a slight sheen. The image is made by means of electrostatic transfer with a combination of four colorants and toner.