Cyanotype Chemicals- Basic Information You Should Be Aware of

Cyanotype Chemicals- Basic Information You Should Be Aware of

The process of creating photographs in blue print is known as cyanotype. Usually photographs are set in silver like the black and white photos. Cyanotype uses a few chemicals and the sun to print pictures on any surface. During the process the paper or fabric or the printing medium is treated with chemicals. Cyanotype chemicals include Potassium ferricyanide and Ammonium iron (III) citrate.

Cyanotype procedure

The procedure of cyanotype printing is simple and easy. There are a few steps involved in it. The cyanotype chemicals - Potassium ferricyanide and Ammonium iron (III) citrate are turned into solutions separately. They are mixed with water and then blended in equal parts. Cyanotype printing can be done on any surface that is capable of soaking the solutions. Cyanotypes are created on paper, fabric, leather, ceramic, wood and so on.

The only criterion is that the surface used for printing should be able to soak the cyanotype chemical solutions. The surface is first sensitized using the cyanotype chemical. Any image clicked using a digital or a regular camera can be used for printing cyanotype photos. Even elements like leaves, lace and so on can be placed on the fabric or paper to create photos. The image is turned into a negative that is placed on the surface for printing.

Then by exposing it to sunlight or any UV light a cyanotype is formed due to the chemical reaction. The surface is then washed and rinsed very well in water. Adding about 3% of Hydrogen Peroxide to water helps in getting a beautiful blue shade on the print. It is then kept for drying in a dark room. A stunning cyanotype emerges on the surface after drying.

The UV light reduces iron (III) to iron (II). Then there is a complex reaction of iron (II) with ferricyanide. This results in the formation of an insoluble blue dye called ferric ferrocyanide or in simple words Prussian blue. What actually happens is that the iron is reduced in the areas on exposure to sunlight. So the paper turns into a blue or a steel grey color. The color change depends on the strength of the UV light. Normally within ten to twenty minutes you can see good results on a bright sunny day. After exposure the picture is rinsed off in running water that washes off the chemicals.

Cyanotype Chemical

chemicals are also available in the form of pre-mixed solutions. They come in the form of a kit of two solutions and are quite reasonable. There are various companies that supply them over the internet. You must be very careful while handling cyanotype chemicals. After all they are nothing but chemicals. Tips on handling cyanotype chemical:

* Take extra care to keep away from children or pets.

* Use rubber gloves to handle the chemicals.

* Try not to get it on your clothes.

You need to take equal parts of both the solutions and blend them using a measuring cup. It is very important to measure them well because if the proportions differ there could be a wrong reaction. Thus the cyanotype chemicals are the most important part of the process of printing cyanotype photos. It is actually the chemical reaction that creates beautiful images.

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