If you’ve been seeing those dreamy blue-toned prints all over Instagram, we might be responsible for that. Delicate silhouettes of leaves, flowers, and everyday objects, transferred to a paper using the magic of cyanotype printing.
The best part? You don’t need a studio or any prior experience. With the Kitsters solar printing kit (also known as a cyanotype kit or sun print kit), you can recreate those exact visuals at home.
This guide will walk you through how to achieve that aesthetic using a DIY solar printing kit for beginners at home, while also turning it into a relaxing, creative ritual.
But first, what is Solar Printing (Cyanotype)?
Solar printing is a process where light-sensitive paper reacts to sunlight to create deep blue prints. Objects placed on the surface block the light, leaving behind stunning white silhouettes.
It’s where art meets science. Making it the perfect science art kit and even a STEM learning kit combining art and science.
And while our kit has everything for you to make a solar print, this blog explores what more you can do with the kit.
What You Need: Your All-in-One Kitsters Solar Printing Kit
The solar printing kit that comes with everything required:
Handmade Paper
- Hydrogen Peroxide
- Part A: Potassium Ferricyanide
- Part B: Ferric Ammonium Citrate
- A beaker
- Pressed Flowers
- Foam Stickers
- Gloves
- Plexiglass
- Wooden clips
- A flat brush
- A messy mat
The Kitsters Solar Printing Kit is a great example of an all-in-one solar printing kit with paper and chemicals, making it a beginner friendly cyanotype kit with step-by-step guide and full materials and an easy DIY art kit for adults with no experience looking for a creative hobby kit for weekends.
Creating Solar Prints of A Photograph:
1. Set Your Base
Take your handmade sheet from the kit. Make sure you’re working in indirect light before exposure. Mix the two chemicals A & B in equal quantities and coat your paper using the flatbrush and leave it to dry.
2. Create A Negative Of The Photo You Want To Print
Start with a high-res, high-contrast image. Convert the image to grayscale or black-and-white. Then, enhance contrast significantly so that shadows are deep black (blocking light) and highlights are very light (letting light through). Invert the colours and voila, you have yourself a negative. Print it on a clear film paper and you’re ready for the next step.
3. Expose to Sunlight ☀️
Secure your negative to the plexiglass using wooden clips and expose it to direct sunlight. Wait 5–15 minutes depending on sunlight intensity.
This is what makes it:
- A fun DIY activity to do at home with friends
- One of the fun DIY hobby kits for weekends at home
- A great option for activities to do with friends indoors (just step out briefly for sunlight)
4. Rinse & Reveal
Wash the paper in water to reveal the final print. Then, pour Hydrogen Peroxide to turn the print into a deep Prussian blue background with crisp white silhouettes.
This moment is why it’s considered one of the best DIY craft kits for stress relief and part of mindful and therapeutic art activities.
Why This Kit Is More Than Just a Craft?
A solar printing kit isn’t just about making art. It’s about the experience.
It doubles as:
- A creative indoor activities kit for families
- One of the best screen-free activities to do with your loved ones or by yourself.
It also encourages:
- Beginner-friendly creative hobbies to start
- Weekend hobby ideas for adults at home
Turn Your Prints Into Beautiful Keepsakes
- Once your prints are ready, you can turn them into:
- Greeting cards
- Wall art
- Journal inserts
- Bookmarks
This makes the kit ideal for:
- Personalised handmade art gift ideas
- A DIY gift kit
- A unique handmade gift DIY art kit India option
It’s also perfect if you’re looking for:
- Unique experience gifts instead of material gifts
Experience The Joy of Creating with Kitsters
If you’ve been wanting to try something creative but didn’t know where to start, a cyanotype kit is one of the easiest and most rewarding entry points.
With a solar printing kit, you’re not just making art, you’re creating moments:
- With friends
- With family
- Or just by yourself
And the result?
Frame-worthy pieces that look straight out of a Pinterest board.
Check out the reel to see one such masterpiece!