WHAT IS A CYANOTYPE?
A cyanotype is a photographic print made by hand using a process known for its rich Prussian blue tones. It is one of the earliest photographic techniques and is still used today for the distinctive color, the handmade quality, and the subtle variation from print to print.
All of Paula’s cyanotypes begin with her own photographs. Rather than printing them digitally, she translates those images into blue using this traditional process. Some works remain purely cyanotype, while others are further developed with hand-painted detail.
How Cyanotypes Are Made
To make a cyanotype, a light-sensitive solution is brushed onto archival cotton rag paper by hand. Once it dries, the paper is exposed to sunlight with a photographic negative placed directly on top. Wherever the light reaches the coated paper, the image develops in deep Prussian blue.
After exposure, the print is rinsed in water, which stops the reaction and reveals the final image.
Because the paper is coated by hand and exposed using natural light, there are small differences every time. Brushstrokes can show through. Edges are not perfectly uniform. Exposure varies slightly. That is all part of the process, and part of what gives each cyanotype its character.
Why Each Cyanotype Is Unique
Even when two cyanotypes begin with the same photograph, they are never identical. Small variations in coating, exposure, and rinsing mean each print has its own tone, texture, and presence.
For that reason, cyanotypes are not mass-produced or printed on demand in the way digital prints are. Each one is made individually, and once a one-of-a-kind piece is sold, that exact print will not be repeated.
How Cyanotypes Feel in a Space
Cyanotypes tend to feel softer and more organic than digital prints. The texture of the paper is visible, the edges can be slightly irregular, and the blue has a depth that shifts with the light in a room. They feel layered, collected, and easy to live with.
If you have questions or are interested in something specific, feel free to reach out. Paula is always happy to discuss available work or custom possibilities.
Other frequent questions…
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Not at all. Cyanotypes are made on sturdy, museum-quality cotton rag paper and are fully archival. They’re created through a chemical reaction with UV light, so once they’re processed and dried, they’re as stable as any fine art print. They just look delicate because of their soft, organic edges.
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With proper care cyanotypes stay rich and vibrant for decades. Framing behind UV-protective glass and keeping artwork out of direct, intense sunlight is the best way to preserve any piece of art.
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Framing a cyanotype is like framing any other photograph or work on paper. They fit into standard frames or custom frames. Many collectors choose to float-mount them to highlight the natural, brushed edges, but they also look lovely framed traditionally.
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Yes. Paula welcomes custom cyanotype commissions. If you have an idea in mind, reach out and she would be happy to talk it through.
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Not exactly. Each cyanotype is made by hand, so an exact piece cannot be recreated once it has sold. Paula can return to the same photograph and create a new cyanotype from it, but the result will always be a little different. If you missed a piece you loved, feel free to ask about a new variation.
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If a cyanotype has already been made, it is usually ready to ship quickly. If Paula is creating one to order, timing may vary a bit depending on weather, drying time, and studio schedule.
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Yes. Cyanotypes naturally carry subtle variation because they are made by hand and exposed in sunlight. Those shifts in tone are part of what makes each print unique.
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Yes. The brushed or feathered edges are intentional and are part of the handmade process. They are one of the details that give cyanotypes their softness and character.