One of the most magical craft processes available — and one of the simplest. Cyanotype sun printing uses the power of ultraviolet light to create detailed, permanent prints directly on fabric, without dyes, chemicals to mix, or specialist equipment. These pre-treated cotton fabric squares from Colourcraft are ready to use straight from the pack — no preparation, no coating, no darkroom. Just open, arrange your objects, expose to sunlight, and rinse.
The process is as simple as it sounds. Work in a dimly lit space while setting up — bright light will begin to activate the pre-treated fabric. Arrange leaves, flowers, feathers, lace, stencils, flat objects, or photographic negatives directly on the fabric surface. Take it outside into direct sunlight and expose for approximately 10 to 20 minutes depending on the brightness of the day. Bring it back inside and rinse in water — the print appears immediately and permanently as the image develops. Areas exposed to sunlight fix to a rich, intense colour; areas protected by objects remain white, producing a precise, detailed silhouette of whatever was placed on the surface.
The fabric is 100% high quality cotton at 200 thread count — pre-washed so it will not shrink — and treated for consistent, even printing results. The prints are archival, non-toxic, and environmentally friendly. Once developed and dry, the fabric can be embellished further with stitching, beadwork, appliqué, or dye applications, or used directly in quilting, scrapbooking, surface design, card making, and textile art.
We stock two variants:
White — the classic sunprinting fabric. Exposed areas develop to a rich cyan-blue and unexposed areas remain white, producing the characteristic blueprint-style image that gives the process its name. White fabric can also be toned after development to produce sepia or yellow tones using tea or other natural toning agents for a different aesthetic.
Assorted Colours — five vivid pre-dyed cotton squares, one each in Violet, Lime, Turquoise, Orange, and Raspberry. The coloured base gives a different character to the finished print — the cyan-blue exposure develops over the coloured ground, producing a more complex, layered visual effect. Particularly well suited to textile art and mixed media applications where the vibrant base colour adds an additional dimension to the image.
Material: 100% cotton, 200 thread count
Treatment: Pre-washed, pre-treated for consistent printing results
Variants: White / Assorted Colours — Violet, Lime, Turquoise, Orange, Raspberry
Properties: Archival, non-toxic, environmentally friendly
How does cyanotype sun printing work?
The fabric is pre-treated with a light-sensitive coating. When exposed to UV light — sunlight or a UV lamp — the coating reacts and fixes to the fabric in the exposed areas. Objects placed on the surface block the light, leaving those areas unchanged. When rinsed in water, the unexposed coating washes away and the print appears permanently — dark where light reached the fabric, pale where objects cast a shadow.
How long should the fabric be exposed to sunlight?
Approximately 10 to 20 minutes in direct sunlight, depending on the brightness of the day and the season. On a bright summer day, 10 minutes may be sufficient; on a hazy or overcast day, longer exposure is needed. Test with a small piece of fabric first to judge conditions.
Can the finished fabric be washed?
Yes — once developed and fully dry, the print is permanent and can be machine washed. Wash in cool water with a non-phosphate detergent for best results.
What objects work best for sun printing?
Flat or flattened objects give the sharpest prints — pressed flowers and leaves, lace, stencils, feathers, and paper cut-outs all work well. Three-dimensional objects produce softer, more graduated shadows. A sheet of clear acrylic or glass placed over the arrangement holds objects flat and prevents them moving in the breeze during exposure.
