Sun printing - the ultimate nature craft

Here in the UK, the month of April blesses us with more daylight, more sunshine and a sudden blossoming of nature. I am always drawn outside into the garden where all the plants are waking up from their winter rest and springing back to life with splashes of colour - making my creative sparks fly!

Now starts the perfect time of year for sun printing.

Sun printing, and most commonly cyanotype and anthotype printing, has grown in popularity over recent years as it is easy to do at home, outdoors, as well as being a fun activity for people of all ages with huge scope for creativity.

What is sun printing?

We call it ‘sun printing’ because we use ultraviolet light/sunlight (rather than electric light in photography) to expose an image onto a surface. Confusingly, you sun print on a cloudy day, because there is still UV light, but it will just take longer.

Both cyanotype and anthotype prints are actually a type of photogram, meaning objects are placed in direct contact with a light sensitive surface (usually paper or fabric) and exposed to light to create a silhouette of the object on that surface.

What is the difference between cyanotype and anthotype?

The main difference is in their chemical makeup - one uses iron salts which create a blue pigment as the salts react with UV light and the other contains plant pigments that fade in the sun.

Cyanotypes are typically blue and anthotypes are yellow, red or brown, but there are ways of altering these colours which I will write about in a separate post.

Another important difference between the two is that a cyanotype produces a 'negative' of the object (i.e. the colour is around the silhouette) whereas an anthotype produces a 'positive' (i.e. the colour is within the silhouette of the object) - more detail on that below.

How do you make paper or fabric light sensitive?

To make paper or fabric light sensitive for sun printing, you have to paint it with or soak it in a cyanotype or anthotype emulsion.

Cyanotype emulsion is made by mixing two iron-based chemicals whereas an anthotype the emulsion is plant based, typically using turmeric, coffee or tea.

Many craft shops now sell cyanotype kits or the two chemicals you need, or you can buy pre-treated paper or fabric. If using the chemicals, you have to mix the two components at a ratio of 1:1.

A turmeric anthotype emulsion can be made with what you most likely already have in your kitchen and cleaning cupboards: Mix 1 part of turmeric with 4 parts of rubbing alcohol.

Is it better to buy cyanotype components or pre-treated cyanotype paper?

The answer to this question depends on your intention for your cyanotype project. 

It is certainly time saving to buy pre-treated cyanotype paper or fabric. Also, cyanotype paper/fabric is very evenly covered, so you will not have to grapple with the learning curve of applying the emulsion without unwanted pooling or streaks.

For me, however, mixing the chemicals and preparing the paper and fabric with the solution is part of the process of alchemy that I wouldn’t wish to skip.  I like my work to feel organic - with all the imperfections that organic things tend to bring; in my view, they give it character.

While the ability to apply the cyanotype emulsion to the paper or fabric doesn't necessarily give you greater control of the final outcome, it does give you greater scope for creativity: The cyanotype emulsion does not have to be applied in an even layer or cover the entirety of the paper. You can experiment with the way you apply the solution - you can paint any shape you like, and brush strokes don’t have to be neat. In fact, uneven edges will give uniqueness to each piece you create.

Look at this example: the cloudiness of the blue and the 'haphazard' brush strokes make this look interesting on its own.

uneven edges on a hand painted cyanotype base

The more elements of a finished object I can be involved in creating, the greater my sense of accomplishment.  

What else do you need to create a sun print?

First of all you need a surface or medium to print onto - that can be paper or fabric (natural fibres, not synthetic), but you could also print onto unglazed ceramics, untreated leather and wood, or anything else that is porous and will absorb the cyanotype or anthotype emulsion.

If you are just starting out and would like to experiment, I would recommend you use inexpensive watercolour paper and/or cotton fabric (for example you could utilise an old pillowcase).

You will also need brushes, a small dish/jar for the emulsion and something to protect your work surface (especially when working with turmeric!).

You need some objects to print - think leaves, flowers, feathers or anything else you can find around your garden or house. Look for interesting shapes that can lie flat or might make an appealing shadow.

A sheet of glass or perspex - to weigh down lighter objects like leaves and flowers to prevent them from moving in a light breeze. Vintage picture frames from charity shops are great for this (sometimes modern picture frames use glass with UV filters, which will inhibit the exposure of your print).

A tray - I always arrange my compositions indoors and then take them into the sun when I'm ready. This helps on a windy day, and also reduces the amount of time your medium is exposed to the sun before it has the object on it.

Cyanotype printing in progress - the yellow-green emulsion turns darker during exposure, and will turn into the classic 'cyan' blue when rinsed.

A large bowl or bucket with water to rinse the prints in.

A washing line and pegs to hang the prints for drying.

Cyanotype and anthotype safety precautions

Although the cyanotype chemicals are non hazardous, it is always advisable when working with chemicals to protect your skin and clothes, and to work in a well ventilated room. Have a clear desk space that you can clean with a sponge and soap afterwards to avoid contamination.

Although turmeric, tea and coffee are edible, the anthotype emulsion is prepared with a high percentage alcohol, which is toxic and highly flammable, so you must work in a well ventilated space and protect your skin - if you can, find a shady spot outside and prepare and apply the mixture there, so you don't inhale any alcohol vapour.

Anthotype emulsion using turmeric is also very intense in colour and can seep through your paper if applied generously (even 300gsm watercolour paper) so it is advisable to protect your work surface when applying turmeric emulsion.

Children must be supervised by an adult when working with chemicals, but when sun printing with younger children, I would suggest not involving them at all in the preparation or application of the cyanotype emulsion - once the light sensitive paper or fabric has been prepared it can be handled by children without concern, and this stage - the printing - is what they will find most fun anyway.

Do you have any questions about sun printing?

I will write more about sun printing in due course, including some recipes and tips for sun printing success, but if you have any questions at all, feel free to contact me: welcome@creations-distractions. com