How to Make a Cyanotype Print

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Cyanotype is a simple and rewarding photographic printing process that produces deep blue botanical images using sunlight. This guide is designed for beginners who may be discovering cyanotype for the first time.

Please read through the entire guide before starting. I have linked the materials I personally use and trust so you can confidently gather supplies and begin.

A printable step by step PDF version of this tutorial is available at the bottom of the page.

Materials You Will Need

Cyanotype Supplies

Cyanotype requires two chemicals that are mixed together to create a light sensitive solution.

Potassium Ferricyanide
Ferric Ammonium Citrate

Click Here for the exact solutions I use.

Additional supplies

Small measuring cup such as a medicine cup
Container for the mixed solution made of plastic or glass
Watercolor paper or one hundred percent cotton fabric
Foam brush or Hake brush
Pressed or fresh botanicals such as leaves or flowers
Glass or plexiglass such as from an old picture frame
Stiff cardboard or wooden backing
Binder clips
Water source for developing the print such as a sink or tub
Drying line
Clothespins

If you prefer not to mix chemicals yourself, pre coated cyanotype paper kits are a good beginner option.

Preparing Your Space and Paper

Cyanotype paper is sensitive to ultraviolet light, so preparation is important.

Choose a room with minimal natural light. Close blinds or curtains to avoid sunlight exposure.
Cover your work surface with newspaper or butcher paper to protect it from spills.
Measure equal amounts of Solution A and Solution B and pour them into your container.
Only mix what you plan to use. Once combined, the solution is usable for about thirty minutes.
Gently swirl or stir to mix the solution.
Using your brush, apply an even coat of solution to your paper or fabric. Aim for full coverage without pooling.
Place the coated paper in a dark closet or drawer and allow it to dry completely.

Creating Your Cyanotype Print

Once your paper is fully dry, you are ready to create your print.

Place the prepared paper on a sturdy backing board.
Arrange your pressed or fresh botanicals directly on the paper.
Place the glass or plexiglass over the botanicals and secure everything with binder clips.
Make sure the botanicals are pressed flat against the surface for crisp detail.
Take the setup into direct sunlight.
Expose the print until the coated areas change to a gray blue or bronze tone.
Exposure time will vary depending on sunlight strength, time of day, season, and humidity.
Check the print periodically during exposure.
When ready, bring the print inside and carefully remove the glass and botanicals.

Developing and Drying the Print

Rinse the print in running water or gently agitate it in a tub of water for five to ten minutes.
This removes unexposed chemicals and reveals the final image.
Hang the print to dry using clothespins.
The blue color will deepen over the next twenty four hours as the print oxidizes.

Final Notes

You have successfully created a cyanotype print. Once dry, your print can be framed, scanned, or used in other creative projects. Cyanotype is a process that rewards experimentation. Try different botanicals, papers, exposure times, and layouts to develop your own style.

Printable Cyanotype Guide

If you would like a printable version of this tutorial to keep at your workspace or reference later, you can Download the Printable PDF here.

This printable guide includes a materials checklist, simplified steps, and space for notes.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me!