3 Gorgeous Ways to Craft With Sun Prints

Versatile and visually stunning, this adult and kid-friendly craft is also super easy to make. Learn how to create your own, plus see how we transformed these pretty prints into DIY place cards, framed art and one-of-a-kind stationery.

Arrange flowers on sun print paper
Lay a piece of acrylic over the flowers and paper to sharpen edges and ensure no sun sneaks beneath leaves of flowers
Place print in direct sunlight for 2-5 minutes or until the paper turns white.
Rinse paper in water
Hang to dry (on clothesline)

HGTV Summer Camp: Sunprints

Arrange flowers on sun print paper Lay a piece of acrylic over the flowers and paper to sharpen edges and ensure no sun sneaks beneath leaves of flowers Place print in direct sunlight for 2-5 minutes or until the paper turns white. Rinse paper in water Hang to dry (on clothesline)

Photo by: Jason Kisner

Jason Kisner

Materials Needed

  • sun-sensitive photographic paper (can be found in the kids' science section of most craft stores)
  • transparency film paper
  • acrylic sheet (usually included in a pack of sun-sensitive paper)
  • variety of flat objects to print
  • tub of cool water
  • clothesline
  • large piece of cardboard (optional)
  • lemon juice (optional)

Prepare Print

In a shady spot, arrange flat objects (we used flowers) on a transparency sheet until satisfied with the design (Image 1). Working quickly, remove sun-sensitive paper from protective sleeve and slide underneath the transparency (Image 2). Place an acrylic sheet over the objects to help sharpen edges and keep your design in place (Image 3). 

Tip: For extra stability, work on a large, moveable surface like a piece of cardboard or foam board.

Place Print in Direct Sunlight

Place print in full sun for 2-5 minutes until the paper turns light blue.

Arrange flowers on sun print paper
Lay a piece of acrylic over the flowers and paper to sharpen edges and ensure no sun sneaks beneath leaves of flowers
Place print in direct sunlight for 2-5 minutes or until the paper turns white.
Rinse paper in water
Hang to dry (on clothesline)

HGTV Summer Camp: Sunprints

Arrange flowers on sun print paper Lay a piece of acrylic over the flowers and paper to sharpen edges and ensure no sun sneaks beneath leaves of flowers Place print in direct sunlight for 2-5 minutes or until the paper turns white. Rinse paper in water Hang to dry (on clothesline)

Photo by: Jason Kisner

Jason Kisner

Process Your Image

Slide your print out from under the transparency (Image 1) and rinse immediately in a tub of room temperature or cool water for about 1 minute (Image 2). To achieve a darker blue hue, mix a few tablespoons of fresh lemon juice with the water (Image 3).

Hang to Dry

Hang print to dry on a clothesline or lay flat on a dry surface out of the sun. Print will develop into its final deep blue hue as it dries. 

Arrange flowers on sun print paper
Lay a piece of acrylic over the flowers and paper to sharpen edges and ensure no sun sneaks beneath leaves of flowers
Place print in direct sunlight for 2-5 minutes or until the paper turns white.
Rinse paper in water
Hang to dry (on clothesline)

HGTV Summer Camp: Sunprints

Arrange flowers on sun print paper Lay a piece of acrylic over the flowers and paper to sharpen edges and ensure no sun sneaks beneath leaves of flowers Place print in direct sunlight for 2-5 minutes or until the paper turns white. Rinse paper in water Hang to dry (on clothesline)

Photo by: Jason Kisner

Jason Kisner

3 Gorgeous Ways to Craft

These Prussian blue sun prints are so versatile, visually stunning and easy to make, the crafting possibilites are seemingly endless! A few of our favorite ideas: cut and fold to use as place cards at your next gathering (Image 1), frame for beautiful DIY decor (Image 2) or glue prints to pieces of card stock and use as one-of-a-kind stationery (Image 3).    

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