Natural Dyes: Cyanotype Printing
Traditional dye methods use chemical-heavy processes that end up contaminating the water used. This is why natural dyes may be a better choice! Dying fabric from natural sources preserves the integrity of the water used and you can behold some stunning results.
Cyanotype Science
This process was invented by Sir John Herschel in 1841. This early photographic printing method uses a solution of ferric ammonium citrate and potassium ferricyanide. These iron salts, when exposed to UV light, are reduced to their ferrous state, producing a high-contrast blue image when oxidized.
Step One: Mix the Solution
Jacquard Products has a wide range of cyanotype solutions and premade kits. The one I will be using is this 2 Component Set.
https://www.jacquardproducts.com/cyanotype-set
Add filtered water to the bottles to dissolve the solution. Set them aside to dissolve completely for 24 hours. Mix equal amounts of each solution and it will result in a dark gree color.
Step Two: Coat Your Canvas
Using a paint brush evenly coat your paper, fabric, or canvas. Let the paper dry completely in a dark area. I recommend using a nice watercolor paper or a cotton fabric.
Step Three: Composition Planning
Anything that can cast a shadow can be used to print with this method! Here I am using letterboard letters to create a new website banner. I also experimented with glass, crochet, and plants.
Using transparent paper you can print photographs using this method. Invert the image and print on transparent paper compatible with your printer.
Step Four: Printing!
When exposed to UV light, the solution will begin to darken. The areas not exposed to sunlight will lighten. It is helpful to use a glass pane to weigh down the material. I found between five and ten minutes of sun exposure worked best. If you are using sunlight for UV rays, the results may be inconsistent due to the sun's intensity. You can also use a UV lamp for more consistent results. This step will take some practice to perfect!
Be sure to rinse with water after bringing the print out of the light. This will quicken the oxidation and remove the unused solution. Here you can see the immediate difference after rinsing the paper.
Results!
The results will darken over time as the paper dries and the solution oxidizes. If you dyed fabric I recommend rinsing the fabric until clear Then running it through a washing machine by itself to ensure no dye runs.
These next cyanotypes were done by my talented friend Emerson Shlansky. Find more of their work on Instagram @shlan.the.man.
Let me know if you try this technique or if you have any questions in the comments below!