What I love most about making cyanotypes is how simple materials—light, paper, and whatever you have on hand—can transform into something completely unexpected. Whether you’re new to sun printing or just looking for fresh inspiration, this list is full of ideas to try.
From nature finds and household odds-and-ends to textiles and seasonal themes, here are over 180 ideas to spark your next project. You’ll get clear shapes from some and more abstract prints from others. The unpredictability is part of what keeps it interesting. Use this as a checklist, a challenge, or a jumping-off point for your own experiments.
How to use this list
- Start with what’s around you
- Try layering objects or combining textures
- Focus on shape, contrast, or patterns
- Don’t worry about getting it “right,” just experiment
Natural materials
Leaves & petals
- Ferns
- Eucalyptus leaves
- Ivy vines
- Oak leaves
- Maple leaves
- Magnolia leaves
- Mint leaves
- Bamboo leaves
- Rose petals
- Sunflower petals
- Lavender sprigs
- Chamomile flowers
- Dandelion seed heads
- Daisy blooms
- Poppies
- Pressed orchids
- Hydrangea flowers
- Clover
- Wild grasses
Seeds, pods & fruit
- Acorns
- Pinecones
- Seeds
- Sprouted beans
- Dried fruit slices (e.g., orange, lemon)
Forest & beach finds
- Cacti fragments
- Moss
- Lichen
- Small driftwood pieces
- Shells
- Coral fragments
- Pebbles
- Starfish
- Seaweed
Animal traces
- Bird feathers
- Snake skin shed
Textiles & patterns
- Lace fabric
- Crochet doilies
- Embroidery hoops
- Woven straw mats
- Netting or mesh
- Ribbons
- Burlap squares
- Linen scraps
- Tulle
- Knitted swatches
- Cotton balls
- Frayed rope pieces
- Tassels
- Tattered jeans fabric
Household objects
- Keys
- Safety pins
- Paper clips
- Scissors
- Cutlery
- Wine corks
- Bottle caps
- Buttons
- Small lightbulbs
- Coins
- Dice
- Hairpins
- Eyeglasses
- Earbuds
- Cell phone cases
- Comb
- Measuring spoons
- Cookie cutters
- Sink strainers
- Dish scrubbers
- Wrenches and other small tools
Stationery & craft supplies
- Stencils
- Rubber stamps
- Pieces of twine
- Staples
- Elastics
- Sticky notes (shapes and outlines)
- Small watercolour brushes
- Palette knives
- Beads
- Yarn bundles
- Woven friendship bracelets
- Foam stamps
- Clear plastic rulers
- Cut-out paper shapes
Found objects
- Broken glass pieces (handle with care)
- Cogs or gears
- Hinges
- Screws
- Washer rings
- Wires
- Shredded foil pieces
- Springs
- Electrical components
- Batteries
- Computer keys
- Bolts
- Chains
- Metallic sheets with perforations
- Faucet handles
- Razor heads
- Zippers
- Old clock hands
- Spark plugs
- Cassettes
Textured & aged materials
- Charcoal pieces
- Burnt paper
- Cracked plaster bits
- Melted candle stubs
- Smooth river stones
- Clay impressions
- Dried paint scraps
- Ink-stained cloth pieces
- Burned matches
- Cracked leather scraps
- Old ticket stubs
- Broken pottery bits
- Scrap metal shapes
Seasonal items
Spring
- Cherry blossoms
- Fresh green leaves
- Raindrop patterns
Summer
- Beach sand impressions
- Garden flowers and veggie silhouettes
- Seashell clusters
Autumn
- Maple leaf silhouettes
- Acorns and seeds
- Bare branches
- Cranberry sprigs
Winter
- Evergreen boughs
- Pinecones
- Holly leaves
Modern & experimental subjects
- Transparent objects (e.g., glass discs, clear rulers)
- X-ray film sheets
- Negative overlays
- Small LED lights for glow effects
- Screen mesh patterns
- Coloured filters
- Plastic packaging with texture
- Fogged transparency film
- Abstract geometric cutouts
- Glass prisms
- Small mirrors
- Lenses or magnifiers
Food-inspired
- Rice grains
- Coffee beans
- Teabags
- Sprigs of rosemary
- Onion skins
- Bread crumbs
- Oats and barley grains
- Dried herbs
- Colourful spices (e.g., turmeric—can tint your print)
- Sunflower seeds
- Flat chocolate pieces
- Cake decorating candies
- Ice cubes
Miscellaneous ideas
- Hand-cut words or letters
- Photos converted to negatives
- Overlays with quotes
- Child’s drawing outlines
- Texture rubbings on paper
- Personalized logos or designs
- Dropped paint effects
- Flour or sugar spills
- Animal paw silhouettes
- Hand silhouettes
- Plastic wrap textures
- Balloon string spirals
- Game board pieces
- Ornate jewellery shadows
- Streamers
- Fountain pen outlines
- Vintage stamps
- Ripped canvas
- Sewing patterns
- Doll clothes and accessories
- Plastic straws
- Disposable dishware
- Tags
- Shadow puppets
- Reused cyanotypes layered
- Nest-like arrangements
- Stacked sticks
Some things will surprise you; others might not work at all. Add your own ideas, try the unexpected, and see where it takes you. If you make something inspired by this list or come up with new ideas, I’d love to see them! Tag @adhocartisan or send me a note.
Photo by Franco Antonio Giovanella on Unsplash