I decided it was time to upgrade my light box. Since my introduction to contact printing, I've used the same Amazon box for about a year. Taped up with a hole cut into the top for the light, it wasn't fancy but did the trick. Like many who make the leap into this art form, this is the go-to move. Let's be honest, we all have these boxes sitting around the house at one point or another.
Instead of using LED light strips, with a lot of upfront work soldering and wiring, I opted for a ready-to-use Everbeam 365nm 50w UV LED light. I love this light! It's so easy to use. Pull it out of the box and plug it in. I used a piece of scrap wood I had lying around to hang the light, and I was ready to start making prints!
This light box was simple and lightweight. I could pick it up with one hand. I could look down through the hole in the top to make sure everything was just so. I could make little corrections to the light by shifting the wood scrap around. I was (still am) a mad scientist, absolutely locked in experimenting.
However, my trusty light box wasn't going to last forever. I started to notice a visible droop in the top of the box. The supports (the cardboard sleeves of the box I taped up) started to fall off. After so many hours spent making prints, it was time for a change.
I have the benefit of being a CAD teacher and have my own CNC machine. Coming up with plans for light box 2.0 was fairly easy to do. I designed the shape of the box in Easel and used one of the built-in apps, "box-maker," to do all of the work. I decided I wanted my box to be 18 inches x 24 inches with a height of 8.5 inches. With some scrap plywood and a weekend, I cut the light box panels, did some sanding, and glued it all together.
I got these picture frame straps from Harbor Freight, and they're well worth the $5-6 per unit. Tighten the straps, and you have perfect tension on the four corners for nice and square corners.
I designed my own clips in SolidWorks to hold my light in place and 3D printed them in less than 30 minutes. Instead of screwing the light mounts down, I opted for some double-sided sticky tape, and my light is really secure.
All in all, this was a really fun project. I'm already thinking of upgrades for light box 3.0 (I will always keep tinkering away). I hope you enjoyed a look at my project and feel free to reach out and ask any questions you might have. Cyanotype printing is something anyone can do. There are many projects that are easy on the wallet and fun for all ages.
Below are links to the products I am talking about and use myself.
Everbeam 365nm 50w uv led light
Cheers,
Josh Ball