Cyanotype Printing Cheatsheet
Suitable Papers & Fabrics
Material | Characteristics |
---|---|
Paper | Heavyweight, natural fiber papers (cotton rag, watercolour paper) work best. |
Fabric | Natural fibers like cotton, linen, silk, and canvas absorb the chemistry well. |
The Cyanotype Process
Step # | Action | Notes |
---|---|---|
1 | Make your cyanotype solution. | Prepare the cyanotype sensitizer according to the instructions provided with your kit or chemicals. |
2 | Coat your paper or fabric. | Apply a thin, even coat with a brush or coating rod. |
3 | Let it dry completely. | Dry in a dark place. A hairdryer can speed this up. |
4 | Create your composition. | Arrange objects (plants, lace, etc.) or a negative on the surface. |
5 | Expose to UV light. | Place in direct sunlight. Exposure times vary (5-30 mins). |
6 | Rinse in water. | Wash the print in a tray of cool water for 5-10 minutes. |
7 | Dry your print. | Hang to dry. The blue colour will deepen as it oxidizes. |
Exposure Guide
Exposure Level | Appearance During Exposure | Result |
---|---|---|
Under-exposed | Pale blue or yellow-green. | Washed-out, light blue print. |
Correctly exposed | Turns to a bronze or grey-blue colour. | Deep Prussian blue with clear highlights. |
Over-exposed | Dark grey or slate blue. | Dark blue print with loss of detail in highlights. |
Toning Cyanotypes
Toning Agent | Colour Result | Process |
---|---|---|
Black Tea | Brown/Sepia | Steep print in strong black tea after rinsing. |
Washing Soda | Yellow-brown | Briefly dip in a weak washing soda solution. |
Tannic Acid | Purple/Black | Bathe print in a tannic acid solution. |
Troubleshooting
Problem | Possible Cause | Solution |
---|---|---|
Print is entirely blue | Paper was exposed to light before use. | Ensure paper is coated and dried in a dark room. |
Weak or pale print | Under-exposure, weak chemistry. | Increase exposure time, mix fresh chemistry. |
Blue stain in highlights | Not rinsed long enough. | Rinse for a longer period, changing the water a few times. |