How to Create a Blueprint on Fabric with Sunlight
The easiest and most fun part of the blueprinting (cyanotype) process is the actual printing. The ultraviolet rays from the sun will expose the uncovered parts of the treated fabric and turn them blue. In contrast, the covered area will return to white after it is rinsed with water. For instance, pressed flowers will appear white against a blue background.
Things You'll Need
- Dried, pressed flowers
- Blueprint treated fabric
- Plastic pan
- Paper towels
- Styrofoam board
- Non-UV coated glass or acetate
- Rubber gloves
Instructions
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1
Place the styrofoam board on a table away from direct sunlight. Put the treated fabric on the board. Arrange the pressed flowers on the treated fabric. Place the glass on top of the flowers.
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2
Take the blueprint design outside on a sunny day. The best time to expose the treated fabric is at noon on a clear day in the summer when the sunlight is most intense. Leave the treated fabric outside for about 10 minutes. A minute more or less will darken or lighten the blue color on the sun print.
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3
Rinse to fix the print. Wear gloves to protect your hands from blue stains. Fill the pan with water. Submerge the print. Grab the print and hold it over the pan while you discard the water. Repeat rinsing until the water is clear. Squeeze and twist the fabric to test if the water drips are clear, not blue. If it still drips blue, rinse again until the water runs clear.
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Dry the print. For cotton fabric, squeeze and twist the fabric until it no longer drips. Place the fabric on a paper towel. Smooth out any wrinkles. Let dry. For silk, place the fabric on paper towels. Roll up the silk. Replace the wet paper towels with new ones and roll the silk again. Place the silk print on more paper towels to dry.
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Tips & Warnings
Wash the finished print by hand if necessary with non-phosphate liquid soap. If the print comes into contact with sodium or phosphate, it will fade substantially or become discolored. Add 1 tsp. soap to a sink full of water. Submerge the print in the water for one minute. Rinse thoroughly. Let dry.
Do not cover fresh plants with glass or acetate. Moisture may discolor the print.
