Starlight is UV-sensitive paper that changes from yellow to blue when exposed to sunlight or a UV flashlight. Place objects or stencils on the paper to block the light, expose it, and an image appears in seconds. No water, developer, or rinsing is needed, making it an easy sun print activity for kids, classrooms, and creative projects.

Both work. Use sunlight for outdoor sun prints or a UV flashlight to create indoors. A UV flashlight typically produces a deeper blue and gives you more control over the exposure. No flashlight is required—the sun works great too.

Exposure time depends on the strength of the UV in sunlight. In bright summer sun around 1:00 pm, Starlight can begin changing blue within seconds. During winter sunlight, it may take longer.

Keep the paper in its black protective bag until you are ready to create your print. For best results, arrange your objects before exposing the paper to sunlight.

Place objects and stencils on the yellow side of the paper. This is the UV-sensitive side that changes blue when exposed to sunlight or a UV flashlight.

Starlight creates sun prints using UV-sensitive paper, but it works differently from traditional cyanotype. Cyanotype prints are typically exposed to sunlight and then rinsed in water to develop the image. Starlight requires no water or developing step—the image appears directly on the paper when exposed to sunlight or a UV flashlight. It also reacts quickly, making it especially convenient for kids, classrooms, and hands-on STEAM activities.

Starlight creates blue images, but the shade of blue can vary depending on the UV light source and exposure. The blue contrasts with the yellow paper, making shapes, shadows, and details easy to see.

The blue areas have been exposed, but any yellow areas are still UV-sensitive. Your print can normally be viewed indoors without changing quickly, but direct sunlight or a UV flashlight will continue exposing the yellow areas. Over time, the remaining yellow background naturally fades toward white while the blue image remains visible.