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How to Make Solarized Paper Crafts: Cyanotype Sun Prints on Cardboard Relief

A step-by-step guide to combining cyanotype sun printing with layered cardboard relief sculpture, using recycled materials and direct sunlight.

Rabbit&Mustard
July 7, 2026

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How to Make Solarized Paper Crafts: Cyanotype Sun Prints on Cardboard Relief

A step-by-step guide to combining cyanotype sun printing with layered cardboard relief sculpture, using recycled materials and direct sunlight.

Print Recipe Pin

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes

Resting Time 20 minutes

Total Time 45 minutes

Servings 1 craft piece

Equipment

Foam brush
Glass or acrylic pressing sheet
Craft knife
Direct sunlight or UV lamp

Ingredients

Materials

30 ml cyanotype coating solution pre-mixed ferric ammonium citrate + potassium ferricyanide kit
1 sheet watercolor paper or heavy cardstock 9x12 inches, cold-press texture
1 foam brush 2-inch width
6 flat botanical items pressed ferns, leaves, or flowers
1 sheet of glass or clear acrylic for pressing objects flat during exposure
3 flattened corrugated cardboard sheets clean, from recycled boxes
1 craft knife
1 bottle white or hot glue

Instructions

Expose the Cyanotype

Coat the paper
Working in a dimly lit room away from direct sunlight or UV, brush the cyanotype solution evenly across the paper. Let it dry fully in the dark.
10:00 Coat the paper
Arrange objects
Place botanical items on the dried, coated paper. Cover with the glass or acrylic sheet to press everything flat against the paper.
Expose to sunlight
Move the covered paper into direct sunlight. Exposure typically takes 5 to 15 minutes; the coating shifts from yellow-green to a grayish bronze when ready.
15:00 Expose to sunlight
Rinse and develop
Remove the objects and rinse the print in cool running water for about 5 minutes, until the water runs clear. This stops the exposure and develops the final Prussian blue color.
05:00 Rinse and develop
Dry flat
Lay the print flat or hang it away from direct sun to dry completely before handling further.
20:00 Dry flat

Build the Cardboard Relief

Cut layered shapes
Cut the corrugated cardboard into 3 to 5 nested shapes of decreasing size, following a concentric or freeform outline that matches the composition of your cyanotype print.
Glue in layers
Stack and glue the cardboard shapes from largest to smallest to build a raised relief base with visible depth.
Mount the print
Once the cyanotype print is fully dry, trim it to size and glue it onto or around the cardboard relief structure.

Notes

Potassium ferricyanide and ferric ammonium citrate are mild irritants — avoid skin and eye contact and work in a ventilated space. Keep coated paper away from light until you are ready to expose it.

Keywords: cyanotype sun print paper craft cardboard relief recycled craft DIY

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