What is cyanotype?
Cyanotype is a type of photography that can be done without a camera. To understand this process, it's helpful to know about the history. Cyanotype is a Greek word. cyan = blue type = print. So in the literal sense, a cyanotype is a blueprint.
Interestingly enough, the original way to create a blueprint for building plans was to write in black marker on a clear sheet, place that on top of a paper that was coated with UV sensitive chemicals, and expose it all to light. The black marker would prevent the paper from reacting with the sun, leaving that area white, while the clear parts would allow light in and the chemicals and light would react on the paper, leaving behind a blue space. The print was then rinsed in water and you were left with a blueprint.
My process is essentially the same thing, though I am using clothing instead of paper, and my 'black ink' is replaced with botanicals found in Alaska. So the images that you will find on my clothing, are all just photographs of plants.
How to care for your cyanotype clothing
Many things in this life change with time, and your cyanotype clothing is no different. With time and washes, your cyanotype print on your clothing will change. The blue may slowly become less vibrant, and there are possibilities of accidentally washing out the image all together. While I encourage you to embrace the seasons of change of your clothing, there are also things you can do to take special care of them and preserve them for as long as possible. Here’s all you need to know!
MOST IMPORTANT:
Washing a cyanotype on fabric should not be done in any soap or detergent containing phosphates, bleach, alkaline chemicals, or sodium. Many detergents have these in them, so be sure to check the label to make sure the soap does not contain any phosphates, bleach or sodium. Avoid the use of borax, Oxyclean, washing soda, powdered detergent or soaps, baking soda, any form of washing salts, or bleach. The application of these cleaning agents may alter the color and diminish the vibrancy of the print.
Please use a phosphate-free liquid soap. All-natural soaps like Dr. Bronner’s castile soap, or Ecomax Natural orange laundry wash are safe to use. I have also had success with Earthwash detergent sheets and it’s environmentally friendly!
Keep washing to a minimum! Don’t wash it unless you absolutely need to. This is good for all clothing, and for the environment.
Turn cyanotype clothing inside out to protect the print. Handwashing is better, especially if you use washing machines that may have residues of laundry detergent, bleach, etc. in them that may mess with the image on your clothing. If you do use a washing machines, use cool water temperatures, and consider running a cycle with other laundry and a detergent listed above to reduce residue from previous washes that could harm your clothing previous to putting your cyanotype clothing through the machine.
Air dry or tumble alone on low heat. Make sure you don’t dry in direct sunlight.
If your cyanotype fades over time, you can try these things to restore the print:
Washing the print in a dilute bath of hydrogen peroxide can usually restore it to its original intensity.
Washing soda will completely remove the print. If this occurs, you can tone the print in green tea, however the print will no longer be blue it will be a dark brown color. Please contact me if any of this happens and I’ll be happy to walk you through what to do!
Enjoy your new clothing and rock it in every way you can!
How do I care for my botanical earrings?
Just as the cyanotype prints change with time, so will your earrings. Though the plants are preserved in resin, the color in the botanicals, as well as the resin will change with time. To prevent discoloration from happening, avoid storing your earrings in direct sunlight.
step one
Mixing the solutions
Cyanotype is made with two UV sensitive chemicals: ferric ammonium and potassium ferricyanide. These powders are measured out and mixed with water, sit for 24 hours, and then mixed with one another. Since they are reactive in the light, all of this needs to happen in a 'dark room'.
step two
painting
Paint night! In a 'dark room', the chemicals are then painted onto the clothing. Once painted, the clothing must stay in a dark place while it completely dries so that the material isn't ruined.
step three
Printing
Once an item is completely dry, you can set up your photograph. Botanicals are placed on the item, and exposed to light for a specific duration of time. It's important that the garment is equally exposed, and for just the perfect amount of time. If exposed for too long, the entire picture will fade and appear too dark. If exposed for too short of time, the image will temporarily appear, and then all wash out and not be visible. Once exposed for the correct amount of time, the item is rinsed in water to stop the UV reaction. Item is then washed, photographed, and posted on social media and for sale on the website.
step four
Final product
If everything goes smoothly, this process takes a minimum of 4 days and many hours of work to get the final product.
The artist
About Dani
Dani is an adventurer, community builder, yogi, artist from Salt Lake City, Utah. In 2023, she moved to Talkeetna, Alaska, leaving behind her career in the outdoor industry to become a floatplane pilot. She then moved to Ketchikan, Alaska where she now lives on a sailboat, delivering mail to surrounding villages via floatplane.
Dani really started leaning into her art during the winter months in Alaska to keep herself busy in a dark, stormy place where she was still working on building community. Because of the nature of her work and the harsh weather, her wardrobe mainly consists of workwear. She found this clothing bland and started making earrings and doing cyanotype photography on all of her (often mens) clothes to feel more comfortable and herself while doing such masculine work. She found that this art helped her to deepen her connection with nature, with herself, and to attempt to live a more sustainable life by choosing more environmentally friendly practices and helping others give their clothing a more exciting second life.