Blueprinting (cyanotype) is an alternative photographic process that has been used to reproduce technical designs for architectural and engineering plans. You can apply this same technique to create blue and white designs on paper or fabric using the sun and two chemicals: ferric ammonium citrate and potassium ferricyanide.
Instructions
1. Pour eight ounces of warm distilled water into the measuring cup and set aside.
2. Measure one-half ounce of potassium ferricyanide. Open the lightproof bag or bottle of potassium ferricyanide and pour about one-half cup of the chemical slowly into one of the cups. Place the cup on the scale and check the weight. Add more of the chemical if needed to measure one-half ounce.
3. Slowly pour the potassium ferricyanide into the measuring cup, a little at a time. Stir until the chemical dissolves.
4. Measure one ounce of potassium ferricyanide. Open the lightproof bag or bottle of ferric amonium citrate and slowly pour about one-half cup of the chemical into the remaining cup. Place the cup on the scale and check the weight. Add more of the chemical if needed to measure one ounce. Reseal the lightproof bag.
5. Add the ferric amonium citrate, a little at a time, to the potassium ferricyanide already dissolved in the measuring cup. Stir until the chemical is dissolved and the solution is thoroughly mixed. Reseal the lightproof bag.
6. Clean the work area. Wash surfaces with paper towels and water that may have come into contact with the blueprint solution. Spills may not be visible but may appear hours later when you may encounter blue stains. If you are not ready to print, store the solution in a lightproof container.
