👉 What is Van Dyke Printing (History & Technique)

Van Dyke printing is an analog photographic process from the 19th century that produces prints in warm brown tones known as sepia. It belongs to the family of alternative photographic processes and uses light-sensitive iron and silver salts that react to ultraviolet light.

The technique appeared in the late 1800s and was named after the Flemish painter Anthony van Dyck, because the prints resemble the warm brown tones often seen in his paintings. Before modern photographic printing processes became widespread, Van Dyke printing was used for artistic photography and archival prints.

Unlike modern photography, Van Dyke printing does not require a darkroom. Images are created through contact printing, meaning objects or photographic negatives are placed directly on light-sensitive paper and exposed to sunlight.

The result is a photograph with rich sepia brown tones, strong contrast, and a distinctive vintage aesthetic. Today, the process is still widely used by photographers, artists, and mixed-media creators who enjoy working with historical photographic techniques.

🛠 How Van Dyke Printing Works

The Van Dyke printing process is relatively simple and can be done at home using sunlight.

Step 1 — Preparing the paper

The photo chemicals are mixed according to the instructions and applied to paper (usually watercolor paper) using a brush or foam brush. The coated paper must dry in a dark place.

Step 2 — Creating the image

Objects, leaves, stencils, or a photographic negative are placed on the sensitized paper. These block the light and define the image.

Step 3 — Sun exposure

The paper is exposed to sunlight or a UV lamp for several minutes. The areas exposed to light darken, producing the characteristic sepia brown tone.

Step 4 — Washing

The print is rinsed in water to remove residual chemicals and stabilize the image.

Step 5 — Drying

Once dry, the print is ready. The result is a photograph with warm sepia tones and a classic vintage look.

💡 Tip:
Leaves, flowers, and lace are perfect for creating beautiful botanical prints with the Van Dyke process.

Best Paper for Cyanotype & Van Dyke Printing

Choosing the right paper is essential for achieving good results with Cyanotype and Van Dyke printing. Since both processes use liquid photo chemicals and sunlight exposure, the paper must be able to absorb the solution and withstand washing.

1. Watercolor paper

The most commonly used paper for these techniques is watercolor paper. It is strong enough to absorb the light-sensitive solution without warping.

Most artists prefer papers with a weight of:

• 200–300 gsm

These papers can handle moisture, rinsing, and drying without losing their structure.

2. Acid-free paper

For archival quality prints, it is recommended to use acid-free paper. Acid-free papers help the photographic image remain stable and prevent long-term degradation.

3. Cotton rag paper

Papers made with cotton fibers (cotton rag) often produce the best results because they absorb the photo chemicals evenly and allow for more detailed prints.

4. What to avoid

Some types of paper are not suitable for these processes. Avoid:

• glossy papers
• coated papers
• very thin papers
• papers with heavy optical brighteners

These materials do not absorb the chemicals properly and may affect the final image.

💡 Tip:
If you are just starting out, try 200gsm or 300gsm watercolor paper. It is reliable, affordable, and works very well for both cyanotype and Van Dyke printing.