Quartz 01 Clean Cross | Cross-Processed Film Preset for Lightroom Mobile & Desktop

Q1 is for photographers who want distinctive editorial colour character as a versatile everyday preset — present enough to feel intentional, restrained enough to work across varied content.

For photographers new to the Quartz Archive who want to understand cross-processed colour before exploring the bolder expressions.

The cross-processed character is subtle. Q1 introduces the Quartz Archive philosophy without the bold colour shifts of the stronger presets — the distinctiveness is in the quality rather than the effect.

It is the most versatile editorial preset. Lifestyle, travel, architecture, portrait — Q1's restrained character works across subjects and conditions.

It is the best starting point. New to cross-processed aesthetics? Start here. Q1 builds your understanding of the Quartz philosophy before you explore the more characterful presets.

1 × Q1 Clean Cross DNG file — for Lightroom Mobile
1 × Q1 Clean Cross XMP file — for Lightroom Classic
Installation guide
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This preset captures the rebellious aesthetic of Cross-Processing—a darkroom technique where film is intentionally developed in the "wrong" chemicals (C-41 in E-6). The result is the iconic Q1 look: unpredictable color shifts and heightened tonal depth. By emulating this chemical reaction, Q1 ensures your photos move beyond "natural" into the realm of fine art. It transforms everyday captures into polished, magazine-ready images, reminiscent of 90s fashion editorials and gritty cinematic photography.

Step 1 — White balance first. Cross-processed film had unpredictable white balance responses — set Temperature to 5,000-5,400K as a neutral starting point. The colour shifts of cross-processing are built into the preset's calibration rather than the white balance, so a neutral starting point gives the shifts the most consistent foundation.

Step 2 — Apply Q1 Clean Cross. The subtle cross-processed character, warm colour shifts, and grain apply simultaneously.

Step 3 — Adjust Exposure and White Balance per photo. Q1 handles the editorial identity. These two adjustments handle the per-photo differences.

Portrait photography with Q1: the subtle character of Q1 suits portrait photography well — distinctive enough to add editorial quality without obviously styling the subject. Apply at 85% for portraits.

On phone photos: 83-85% strength. Q1's subtle shifts apply cleanly to phone photos.

What is the difference between Q1 and Q2 Cool Editorial? Q1 is warm and subtle — a gentle introduction to the cross-processed aesthetic. Q2 is cooler and more controlled — specifically calibrated for fashion and contemporary editorial photography. Q1 for accessible warm everyday editorial character, Q2 for cool fashion editorial precision.

How does Q1 differ from a standard film preset? Standard film presets aim for organic, warm, analog quality. Q1 adds a slight colour shift that reads as distinctive and editorial — present in a way that standard film presets are not. The difference is subtle but intentional.