What material and resolution work for making digital negatives for cyanotype printing?
Asked 1/9/2018
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I want to make cyanotype prints from digital black-and-white images. The plan is to create a negative from the source image, print it at about 6x4 inches onto transparent film/acetate, and then use it as a contact negative.
Would transparency film/acetate be a suitable material for this? Also, is a 1200 dpi printer high enough resolution for making a usable cyanotype negative? I'm especially interested in any practical tips for laser vs inkjet printing.
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
8y ago
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One of the major advantages of alt processes is that you need not be too fussy with your negatives. About anything will do! (do check out the algae cyanotypes from 1840's by Anna Atkins!)
Having said that: good starting point are transparencies used for overhead projectors. These were more common before beamers took them over, but the blank transparencies are still produced and sold. They work the best in inkjet printers, some laser printers can ruin them by overheating.
1200 dpi is more than enough for a contact copy. A cyanotype will be less contrasty than a regular print, and will thus seem a bit softer, but this should not be seen as a problem (though you might wish to remind your friend to turn up the contrast slider of his photo before inverting it).
And should your friend still worry about the resolution, tell him to use the full A4 size. He will be making his own paper anyhow, and cyanotype chemicals are cheap. This will force a bigger viewing distance, making the print resolution even less relevant.
Originally by user62463. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user62463
8y ago
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Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Yes—1200 dpi is easily enough for a 6x4 inch contact negative for cyanotype. Cyanotypes are relatively forgiving compared with many other printing processes, so you generally do not need to be overly fussy about the negative.
A common choice is transparency film made for overhead projectors or other printable transparent sheets. The important practical point is printer compatibility: these films are often best with inkjet printers, and some laser printers can damage or ruin transparency material because of the heat used in the printing process. So use film specifically rated for your printer type.
Image-wise, cyanotypes tend to print softer and with lower contrast than a standard print, so it can help to increase contrast in the image before inverting it to a negative.
In short: printable transparency film is a suitable starting material, and 1200 dpi is more than sufficient. The bigger concern is choosing transparency media that your printer can safely handle.
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