How to Make Cyanotype Prints on Fabric
Close up of Cyanotype Printed on Cotton Linen Fabric/Napkin
Cyanotype Printed on Cotton Linen Napkin, on Lace
Lariceo Cyanotype Kit with Cyanotype Printed Napkin
Cyanotype Printed on Cotton Linen Napkin and Fresh Rosemary
How to make cyanotype prints on Fabric! Cyanotype printing on fabrics is an easy sun-printing technique that uses light sensitive chemicals to create stunning Prussian blue photograms on natural fabrics. I have shared my process on watercolor paper before. Here, I share my cyanotype process on pieces of fabric, my mistakes, and finished print. You can watch the full tutorial on how I achieved my finished cyanotype image at the video all the way at the end of the blog. Let's get started
Supplies Needed
Natural fabric: Choose 100% natural fibers like cotton, linen, or silk (synthetic fibers will not hold the print)
Cyanotype chemicals: Mix equal parts of potassium ferricyanide and ferric ammonium citrate
Application tools: Foam brush, paint brush or tray, and rubber gloves.
Design items: Ferns, leaves, flowers, or printed photo transparencies. I used pressed, dried, ferns.
Pressing tools: A piece of cardboard or a board with a glass or plexiglass sheet to hold objects flat.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Mix and coat (in dim light): In a room away from UV light, combine equal parts of the cyanotype solution. Apply a generous amount to your fabric using a brush, as cloth absorbs more liquid than paper. Remember this is a sensitive solution so you need to work in a dark place.
Dry the fabric: Hang the coated piece of fabric to dry completely in a completely dark room. I used a blow dryer to speed up the process.
Arrange your design: Lay your dry fabric flat on a board in dim light. Place flat objects (like plants) or transparencies on top. Cover with a piece of glass or plexiglass to secure everything.
Expose to sunlight: Take the board outside into direct sunlight or full sun for 3 to 15 minutes. Your exposure time will depend on how bright the sun is. The exposed areas will change color.
Rinse and dry: Bring the fabric back to dim light, remove the objects, and rinse the wet fabric thoroughly in cool water until the water runs clear and the print turns rich blue. I like to put hydrogen peroxide to instantly oxidize the print and bring out the dark blue print. Lay flat to air dry.
Watch this video to see a visual demonstration of the cyanotype fabric printing process.
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