Combining the soft, dreamy look of Holga photography with the rich blue tones of cyanotype printing is a rewarding way to create one-of-a-kind analog prints. In this guide, I’ll walk you through the full process—from capturing an image on film to printing it as a cyanotype on fabric. No darkroom required.
What You’ll Need
Here’s everything you’ll need, including links to find them on eBay for convenience:
• Inkjet Transparency Film – for printing negatives
• Jacquard Cyanotype Pretreated Fabric Sheets – no chemicals needed
• Disposable Gloves – to protect your hands
• Picture Frame Glass – to hold the negative flat
• Painter’s Tape – to cover glass edges
• UV Lamp or access to sunlight – for exposing your cyanotype
• A tub or large sink for rinsing
• Rubbing alcohol (for clearing residue during rinse)
Step 1: Capture Your Image on a Holga
Start by loading your Holga camera with 120 film. The Holga’s signature softness, vignetting, and occasional light leaks add character that translates beautifully into cyanotype prints.
Take your photos as usual, then have your film developed at a local lab or at home (if you’re set up for that).
Step 2: Create a Digital Negative
Once your film is developed:
1. Scan the Negative or Print – Use a flatbed scanner to digitize your image at high resolution.
2. Invert the Image – Open the scan in Photoshop or another photo editor and invert the image so it becomes a negative (light becomes dark, dark becomes light). Convert it to black and white if it isn’t already.
3. Resize – Match the size of your final cyanotype (typically 8.5x11” if using standard pretreated sheets).
4. Print on Transparency Film – Use inkjet-compatible transparency sheets and print your inverted image using your home printer’s highest quality black-and-white setting.
Step 3: Prepare the Cyanotype Fabric Sheet
Jacquard Cyanotype Fabric Sheets come pre-sensitized, meaning no chemicals or mixing is required. They’re light-sensitive, so follow these precautions:
• Work in a dim room or under low, indirect lighting
• Only open the sealed package when you’re ready to expose
• Wear gloves to avoid damaging the coating
Place the sheet on a flat surface, emulsion side up (usually the slightly shinier side).
Step 4: Assemble and Expose Your Print
1. Lay your transparency negative over the cyanotype fabric, aligning it as desired.
2. Cover with glass from an old picture frame to press the negative tightly against the fabric. Use painter’s tape around the edges of the glass to make it safer to handle.
3. Expose to Light
• Direct Sunlight: 10–15 minutes
• Cloudy Day: 20–30 minutes or longer
• UV Lamp: Adjust time based on your lamp’s wattage
Watch the print: The areas exposed to light will shift from greenish-yellow to gray-blue. Avoid overexposing to keep detail in highlight areas.
Step 5: Develop Your Cyanotype
After exposure:
1. Move indoors to avoid further exposure
2. Rinse the fabric in cool water in a tub or sink
3. Add a splash of rubbing alcohol to help clear unexposed chemicals
4. Continue rinsing for 5–10 minutes, or until the water runs clear and all yellow has washed away
5. Lay flat or hang to dry – Your print will deepen in blue as it dries
Tips for Better Results
• Use a test strip (a small piece of fabric) before committing a full sheet
• Try toning with tea or coffee after washing for alternative colors
• Store your remaining cyanotype sheets in a dark, dry place
• Scan your final prints to archive or share digitally
Final Thoughts
This process brings together the unpredictability of Holga photography and the tactile joy of alternative printing. Each step invites experimentation, and every result is a unique, hands-on piece of art. Whether you’re looking to get off the screen and back into the craft, or just want to explore a slower, more physical form of image-making, this is a great place to start.
Happy printing.