How to make “Sun Prints” or Cyanotypes at Home
- Baylee Roberson
- 7 days ago
- 9 min read
Cyanotypes may seem intimidating with their name, but they are actually quite forgiving! Occasionally referred to as sun prints- these stunning blue prints can be made by harnessing the power of sunlight.
This unique combination of art and science can be a great way to spend a sunny day with your family or friends. You don’t need to know how to draw or need any fancy equipment to be able to make a beautiful piece of art that is one-of-a-kind and completely unique to you.
What are Cyanotypes?
Cyanotypes are a cameraless photography method that creates images using a photosensitive chemical solution on paper or fabric. This scientific process was invented in the 1840s, and has been used historically for blueprints, botanical classification, and more.
Photosensitive means something is sensitive to light, specifically UV light from the sun (thus- sunprints!). When the UV light interacts with the chemicals, it will turn your paper bright blue. The white areas of the photo are made by blocking light, you can use plants, found objects, or photo transparencies to do this. For oil painters and Bob Ross fans, you may be familiar with the color Prussian Blue. This is the chemical process that produces that pigment.
Light has the power to transform our world, and ourselves. The objects you use to make your prints create an image by blocking the light. I invite you to think about how light has transformed your life, and use that to inspire your prints.
What You'll Need
Most Important: Cyanotype Chemicals
Alternative to Two Part Chemical Mix: Pretreated Cyanotype Paper
Gloves
Paper or Fabric
Brushes
Materials to make an Image! Found Objects, Photo Transparencies
Glass or Acrylic
Running Water/Rinsing Station
Optional Supplies
Step by Step Instructions
Prepare Your Cyanotype Solution (24 hours in advance)
Prepare Your Station
Combine Parts A & B of Your Cyanotype Solution
Saturate Your Paper or Fabric
Create Your Print with Your Print Materials!
Secure Your Print
Expose Your Print
Rinse and Stabilize Your Print
Hang or Lay Your Print to Dry
ENJOY YOUR BEAUTIFUL ART
The Power of Light: Meditation Exercise
Optional exercise during Step 7
While your prints are exposing, take time to enjoy being present in nature. 10-15 minutes is plenty of time for a moment of mindfulness.
While you’re outside waiting, find a comfortable spot and sit with your feet on the ground. Close your eyes and begin taking slow, deep breaths. Relax your body. What do you feel?
Pay attention to the way the sun feels on your skin and how the wind feels in your hair. If you’re willing- Kick your shoes off and feel the grass beneath you!
Ground yourself in nature. If you get distracted or find yourself worrying- try to focus on the sunlight and the sounds of nature around you. Maybe you hear birds, or rustling leaves.
As you feel the sunshine on your body, imagine light pouring into you, lifting you up, energizing and empowering you.
Take a moment to express gratitude to the sun. Think about your favorite thing the sun does for us.
Thank you Sun, for helping grow the food we eat. Thank you Sun, for giving us nice tans in the summer. Thank you Sun, for giving us life.
Enjoy this small moment of sunshine, and take in all of its positivity and shine with you as you open your eyes.
After you have taken time to come back to your present self, your print should have finished exposure, and you are ready to begin the next step!
Come Make Sun Prints with WAV at COSI SciFest!
Want to try making cyanotypes in a fun, hands-on, community setting? Join We Amplify Voices on May 2nd from 3:00–6:00 PM for a free, all-ages event as part of the #COSISciFest!
We'll provide all the materials and guide you through the process—while diving deeper into the fascinating science behind sun prints. This creative project is rooted in our mission of healing through creative expression, and we’d love to share it with you.
Come as you are, and don’t forget to RSVP!