Cyanotype on Kraft-Tex; Paper Fabric Leather

Once you discover the world of cyanotype printing possibilities everything becomes a possible canvas to print on! How exciting to discover a strong, washable, sewable media that can be an alternate to leather. Let’s look at how to cyanotype print on Kraft-tex Fabric Paper leather.

Nature never ceases to provide me with creative possibilities! If you can not draw you can still make amazing art.

What is Kraft-Tex?

Before delving into the eco printing process, let’s take a moment to acquaint ourselves with Kraft-Tex paper. Often referred to as “paper fabric,” Kraft-Tex is a durable, washable, and tear-resistant material ( C&T Publishing) that mimics the look and feel of leather. Made from a combination of natural fibres and resin. It does behave much like cotton or paper for cyanotype.

Kraft-Tex paper offers the perfect canvas for cyanotype printing, allowing the blue pigments to adhere beautifully to its surface. This non-woven material has a surprising strength and versatility.

This unique material is great to eco print on as it holds well through the Eco Printing process since it is made of cellulose, a natural fiber. I then made a strap for my purse. It turned out great and holds the prints so well.

Kraft tex is available in many colours but I do like the cream and white for the blank canvas. It is quite stiff when brand new but can be washed and ‘scrunched’ to soften it. You can be quite tough on it! Kraft-Tex is also available in a pre-washed version.

What is Cyanotype?

Cyanotype is a process that utilizes UV (sunlight) to create prints. It is a photographic method that quite inexpensively creates a cyan blue print. Variations in the technique can allow many creative solutions. It was invented in 1842 by Sir John Herschel. It involves a couple chemicals; potassium ferricyanide & ammonium ferric citrate. If you would like to learn the chemical theory you can read here.

This is one of the earliest photographic techniques (contact printing process) and was used to make the blueprint.

Check this tutorial here to learn how to easily mix the solutions.

Applying the Emulsion:

The Cyanotype process is simple and easy. Mix the chemicals as you would for either Paper or fabric. This special porous surface absorbs the Cyanotype solution easily. Let dry in a dark place to avoid any light exposure.

Place your Subject Matter:

There’s just so much that can be used for interesting silhouette shapes but leaves and botanicals are often the favourite to create these photograms. Since making the exposure lamp I love the convenience of exposing indoors since I do not depend on sunlight. Pressed botanicals are stored between sheets of paper and allow quick arrangement on the sensitized surface.

Place objects or specimens and cover with glass or plastic to keep in place.

Expose until the background is a bronze colour. The exposure time will vary depending on the power of the sun or UV lamp. At first observation I had thought the outcomes would look speckled.

After exposing the light sensitive Kraft-Tex the detailed prints are not quite obvious yet. Sometimes you just need to have faith…

Time to Rinse:

Wash away the unexposed chemicals. The blue becomes stronger as the speckles seem to diminish. This paper-fabric is quite absorbent so I think some of the emulsion has travelled deeper to look mottled.

The best part is that this media is so strong, no fear of tearing or worrying about any fraying.

As I rinse it the excitement grows as does the blue! The delicate flowers have allowed some UV light to sneak through; how wonderful!

Darkening the prints:

To make the contrast even more pronounced they are dipped in diluted solution of hydrogen peroxide (few drops in a tray of water). It is always my favourite part of the process.

This may be one of my favourite media to print on. I am sure it would even allow toning since it is so easy to rinse.

Media artists love making negatives (digitally printed photographic negative) to permanently capturing details. This sun-printing process is loved by kids and printmakers alike since it picks up the nuance of every shadow.

With wear this leather-like fabric will take on more of the wrinkles that are the character of animal skin. Kraft-Tex is less sensitive to heat than leather.

Sew, iron, paint or glue these Prussian blue monochromatic prints into whatever you like. No edge finishing needed since Kraft-tex is not woven. It can pair well with other fabrics or even leather since it is water resistant.

If you like denim, this pairs so well with it. I never thought there would be such a material! I hope you will try Cyanotype on Kraft-Tex Paper Fabric Leather.