A duotone reproduces a photo with just two colors, usually a dark color and a lighter one.

What is the difference between sepia and black and white?

Sepia tints the photo brown. Black and white removes color altogether.

Photo Editor Advanced 2 min read Updated Oct 23, 2026 Pluto Photos 2.5.2

How to Make a Duotone or Sepia-Toned Image

Short answer

Open the Spot tab, choose a Duotone preset (Black + Warm Grey, Black + Blue, Sepia Duotone or Tritone) and click Apply.

Requires Pluto Photos Pro (one-time $29, no subscription). The free download includes a 30-day trial of every Pro feature.

#1. Open the Spot tab

Open a photo (here a portrait in color) and click the Spot tab. It's mainly for print inks, and the Duotone section is near the bottom.

A color portrait of a woman with red berries — Before.

#2. Choose a duotone preset

The Duotone menu has Black + Warm Grey, Black + Blue, Sepia Duotone and Tritone (Black + Red + Grey). The panel describes it as reproducing the image with named inks instead of process color. Choose Sepia Duotone.

The Spot tab with the Duotone section and the Sepia Duotone preset selected — The Duotone section.

#3. Click Apply

Click Apply. The photo is converted, and History shows Convert to duotone. Press Ctrl+Z to go back.

The portrait converted to a brown and cream sepia duotone — Sepia Duotone.

#Tips

Contrast matters more in two colors, so set the tones before you convert.
For a quick monochrome without the ink presets, use the B&W preset.

#Questions

What is a duotone?: A duotone reproduces a photo with just two colors, usually a dark color and a lighter one.
What is the difference between sepia and black and white?: Sepia tints the photo brown. Black and white removes color altogether.

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