Give a photo a Polaroid effect: a white-framed instant print

A white frame with a wide bottom, slightly faded warm colours and chemical marks at the edges: make a phone photo look like an instant print.

Last updated: October 2026

What makes the Polaroid look?

Frame: the picture sits inside white paper with a wider bottom. Our effect crops the photo into the frame, so its proportions stay right.
Colour: highlights fade, colours warm up and shadows lean slightly cyan.
Chemical edge: an uneven dark strip at the picture edges, left by the developing chemicals on real instant prints.

Open Retro Effect; Polaroid is already picked. Add your photo.
In the Cameras & Prints tab pick Polaroid or B&W Polaroid.
Tune Fade, Warmth and Chemical edge. Turn off White frame if you want the colours without the frame.
Pick an Instagram post size (4:5 or 1:1) and download.

Turn a few photos from one day into Polaroids and post them as a carousel; the matching frames keep it consistent.
B&W Polaroid gives an old photo album feel.
For a more worn look try Old photo, for a 2000s feel the digicam.

How do I give a photo a Polaroid effect?

Open Retro Effect, add your photo and pick Polaroid in the Cameras & Prints tab. Tune the fade, warmth and chemical edge, then download.

Does it work on video?

Yes. Retro Effect opens video too, and the Polaroid look is applied to every frame.

Is it free? Is there a watermark?

Yes, it is free. No account, and no watermark on the file you download.

Is my photo uploaded anywhere?

No. The effect runs in your browser on your device; the photo is never sent to a server.