Cyanotypes were developed in 1942 as a way of capturing a scene using a light sensitive iron compound. Sir John Herschel experimented with ways to record infrared wavelengths.
Images made from the famous cyan color are easy to create, mostly because there are a small number of chemicals one needs. They are also readily available, and possible to buy without entering a complicated process. Read on for the best places to buy cyanotype chemicals.
Cover Photo by Fidan Nazim qizi
Photo by Giovanni Calia
What are Cyanotype Chemicals
To make the most basic cyanotype, you need two different chemicals; ammonium iron (III) citrate (ferric ammonium citrate or ferric ammonium oxalate) and potassium ferricyanide. You also need distilled water, but that can be bought in convenience stores and supermarkets.
But where can you get these chemicals from? Luckily, they are available in all Continents. Below, you’ll find two links for both chemicals and cyanotype kits in UK, EU and US.
Ferric Ammonium Citrate
- Can come as a green, brown or yellow powder
- Safe - Used by nutritionists to increase Iron in system
- Possible to buy in powder or solution form
UK
- Sells in sizes 100g, 250g, 500g, 1kg, 5kg and 25kg tubs
- Sells in sizes 100g, 250g, 500g, 1kg, and 5kg tubs
EU
Alquera (Spain)
- Sells in 50g, 100g and 1kg tubs
Lab Old Tech (Italy)
- Sells in 1kg tubs
US
- Sells in 500g tubs
Photo by Lisa Fotios
Potassium Ferricyanide
- Bright red salt
- Safe - mild irritant to the eyes and skin (can cause hydrogen cyanide in highly acidic conditions)
- Possible to buy in powder or solution form
UK
- Sells in sizes 100g, 250g, 500g, 1kg, 5kg and 25kg tubs
- Sells in sizes 100g, 250g, 500g, 1kg, and 5kg tubs
EU
Lab Old Tech (Italy)
- Sells in 1kg tubs
Laboratorium Discounter (Netherlands)
- Sells in sizes 100g, 250g, 500g, 1kg, 5kg and 25kg tubs
US
- Sells in 227g tubs
- Sells in 100g, 500g and 2.5kg tubs
Photo by Ekaterina
Complete Cyanotype Kits
UK
- Many kits available, including everything needed for all levels of Cyanotpe photography and all levels
- 15 sheets of Arches Platine Art Paper
- 5 sheets of OHP Digital Contact Film
- 2 vials of Potassium Ferricyanide, measured and ready to mix with water
- 2 vials of Ferric Ammonium Citrate, measured and ready to mix with water
- Storage box which also doubles up as a tray for mixing chemicals and washing the paper to fix
- Black storage bag to keep paper away from ultraviolet light
- Foam coating brush
- Protective vinyl gloves
- Easy step by step instructions
EU
Fotoimpex (Germany)
- 50 ml ferric ammonium citrate solution (A)
- 50 ml potassium ferricyanide solution (B)
- 500 ml Hydrogen Peroxide 7,5 % to make 5 Liters of working solution
- 8 sheet high quality printing paper 19 x 28 cm
- 1 Hake Brush
- 2 pipettes
- 1 instruction manual
Lab Old Tech (Italy)
- 60 gr Ferric Ammonium Citrate
- 40 gr Potassium Ferrycianide
- 40mm Paintbrush goat hair
- 1 Plastic Becher PP 250ml
- 2 Amber bottle PET 250ml
- 1 Syringe da 5 ml
- Instructions
US
- 50 ml ferric ammonium citrate solution (A)
- 50 ml potassium ferricyanide solution (B)
- 40 gr ferric ammonium citrate solution
- 40 gr potassium ferricyanide solution