Turmeric Printing Recipe

Apr 15

Written By Jazzy

You probably have most of the supplies in your home already!

Turmeric printing is a photographic process where a photosensitive chemical is extracted from the turmeric root and used to make a print. This chemical is called curcumin, which, when we combine with rubbing alcohol, creates an ink that fades when exposed to the sun.

A quick note before we get started:
Curcumin extract is extremely pigmented and as a result turmeric ink stains everything it touches, so wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty, use gloves and don't eat or drink out of anything that the ink touches!

Supplies:

Borax detergent
Water
Tub/ small container
Dried leaves or flowers

Turmeric powder
Isopropyl alcohol (70%)
Paper
Small jar for ink
Funnel/ Filter
Paintbrush
Frame

I LOVE this printing process because there’s no perfect formula but the results are always so interesting. To me, the beauty of this experiment lies in the freedom of playing with materials, method, and media.

In this step-by-step guide I’ve laid out everything you need to do, but first here are a few hot tips to consider before you get started.

The Paper

I’ve used matte photo paper, watercolor paper, mixed media paper, computer paper. Higher quality paper tends to give higher quality results. (Homemade paper is *not* recommended)

The ink

I always measure with my heart but if you aren’t comfortable with that try these measurements:
1 teaspoon turmeric powder
4-6 tablespoons rubbing alcohol

Borax solution

1/3 cup Borax
1 gallon of water
Be sure to pick a container larger than your paper.
If you need a smaller quantity of developing solution, use 2 teaspoons Borax per 1/2 cup of water

The frame

I highly recommend using a frame to keep everything in place. Choose one that is slightly larger than the paper you are printing on. Alternately, if you only have a glass pane you can use tape to secure everything in place.

Instructions

Step 1
Collect leaves, flowers, and/or other flat objects you want use in your print. Dry, flat objects work best!

Step 2
Using a funnel strain the rubbing alcohol through the turmeric powder in a coffee filter or paper towel. For best results, try to keep the ink out of direct sunlight until you have everything in place.

**Step 3**

Use a brush to paint your turmeric ink on to the paper and let it dry before moving on to the next step.

Step 4

Next arrange the leaves or flowers and place the glass on top. Reference the photo below to double check the order!

**Step 5**

Secure the frame or tape around the edges so that the wind won't move the plants during the exposure time— moving plants means a blurry print!

**Step 6**

Put your print out in the direct sunlight for 1-6 hours. Keep in mind, you may need to move it throughout the day to keep it in a sunny spot. Exposure time will vary greatly depending on location and time of year.

Step 7

Once the exposed parts of the print become a very pale yellow, release/remove the tape or frame and place the paper in your borax and water solution. Once the subject has darkened remove from the solution and allow to dry completely.

That’s it! You have now successfully created a turmeric sun print.

One last thing:

If you like the results, I recommend taking photos of your prints or scanning them into a computer ASAP. These prints will keep their color for a long time if you store them in a dark place. However they will inevitably fade and the more sunlight they are exposed to, the faster the ink will deteriorate.

If you try this experiment or have any questions please feel free to reach out to me. I would love to see where your creativity and curiosity lead you!