How to Do Cyanotype Printing
Follow our simple step-by-step process to make these beautiful blue sun prints! It's a super cool art project for kids and adults, and you only need sunlight and a few basic materials to do easy cyanotype printing.
Yield: 1 cyanotype picture
Cost: $2
Equipment
- Baking sheet (or tablecloth)
- Cardboard sheet (large enough to fit paper)
- Acrylic or glass sheet (from picture frame; or acrylic)
- UV light (optional)
- Glass baking dish (optional)
- Water (to rinse paper)
Instructions
Step 1: Find what you need
- Gather your supplies and materials.
Step 2: Mix the cyanotype chemicals
- Before working with cyanotype chemicals, protect your working surface with a drop cloth and/or a baking sheet. Always wear protective nitrile gloves and an apron.It's also recommended to work in a dimly lit room. This will stop bright light sources from prematurely triggering the chemical reaction.
- Prepare the cyanotype mixture according to the package instructions.Begin by pouring 1 part of solution "A" (potassium ferricyanide) into a measuring cup.
- Then pour 1 part of solution "B" (ferric ammonium citrate) into the measuring cup.Only add part B when you're ready to work with the solution, as it has a limited working time once mixed.
- Stir the 2 parts of the mixture together until well combined.
Step 3: Apply the mixture and allow to dry
- Place a piece of watercolor paper onto your protected work surface.
- Paint a thin layer of the mixture onto the watercolor paper using a foam brush.This type of brush will give you an even application without leaving brush strokes.
- Once the paper is entirely covered with the mixture, allow to sit and dry.This can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours, but for best results we recommend placing the paper in a dark area (like a cupboard) and waiting for 24 hours.
- Once the paper is completely dry it should change colour to a bluish grey.Place the paper onto a sturdy piece of cardboard or a clipboard.
Step 4: Arrange the botanicals and expose to light
- Arrange the pressed flowers onto the paper in the design of your choice.
- Cover the paper with a piece of glass. Some cyanotype kits will come with a sheet of glass or acrylic, or you can use glass from a picture frame.The glass will press the flowers completely onto the paper. This protects the page underneath the flowers from UV light, while allowing even exposure for the rest of it.Adding the glass creates a crisp and detailed image, so leave it off if you want your print to have a more ethereal, artsy look.
- Add a few binder clips around the edge, keeping the 3 layers together and stopping the flowers from shifting.
- Now you need to expose your paper to sunlight. Place the covered paper in direct sunlight for 5 to 10 minutes, or until the paper changes to a bronze-grey colour.You can also use a UV light indoors to expose your print, like we did here. Hold the light or hang it about 6 inches above the paper.
Step 5: Remove the flowers and rinse the paper
- Once the print has been exposed in the sun, remove the binder clips and the glass.
- Then carefully remove the flowers.
- Place the paper into a baking dish or rinsing tray.
- Fill the dish about half way with cold water.
- Swish the paper around in the water to develop the final image and rinse off any unreacted chemicals. Continue soaking for a minute or two until the colour darkens.You can also rinse the paper under cold, running water in a sink or laundry tub.
- Remove the print from the water and allow to dry completely.You can blot the excess water off with a paper towel and then hang the paper on a clothesline or set it on a cooling rack.You can even use a fan or hairdryer on a cool setting to speed up the drying time.
- Your cyanotype print is complete!
Video
Notes
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