How to Make Sun Prints

Create stylish and affordable art in minutes with just a few supplies.

Course Crafts

Keyword budget decorating, crafts, diy, diy art, home decor

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 30

Total Time 35

Servings

Select the items with interesting shapes to create your art. It can be leaves, flowers, or anything you like. Decide how you want to lay it out on the paper.
In a room with the very low lighting, gently remove one sheet of the sunprint paper from the package, being careful not to expose any of the other sheets. If the paper is exposed the project won’t work.
Place the paper on a flat tray or piece of cardboard and then lay your selected object on top of it, following the manufacturers instructions for which side to face upwards.
Place the piece of glass over both of them, and then cover all of it with another piece of regular paper or poster board to minimize exposure until you’re ready to expose it to full sun.
Carry the items outside into full sunlight and remove the top sheet of paper covering the glass, exposing the sunprint paper and your objects to the sunlight. Leave the glass in place as it will hold everything still while the sun does its magic.
Leave in the direct sunlight for 2 – 5 minutes. The paper that is exposed to the sun will turn white. Do not overexpose.
Re-cover the paper and bring it inside. Remove your objects. (leaves in this case) The paper will be light blue where your object was blocking the sun from the paper, like the photo below.
Remove the paper from your tray and rinse in water for a couple of minutes.
Lay flat to dry. It will darken as it dries.
Hang in a frame or with a hanging magnetic poster frame.
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- Items that lay flat produce the sharpest prints.
- Items that are more dimensional will produce prints that are softer and a bit more abstract.
- This process works best on bright, sunny days with no clouds.
- You can also use this cyanotype kit on fabric.