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Where would you find photosensitive paint and what exactly is the process for such a paint?

Hello, my name is Jessica and I am a student at NDSU. I recently heard one of my classmates telling us about a project he had finished. He said that he had used photosensitive paint to project one of his photos onto a canvas and then went about developing and fixing his photo onto the canvas. I have an interest in attempting somewhat the same thing but cannot seem to find "photosensitive" paint. At this point I'm not exactly sure what the process even is for such a project. I recently took some, what I think are, amazing photos and would like to put one on a canvas for my own personal enjoyment. If you could please assist me in not only finding some kind of photosensitive paint but also information on the process I would very much appreciate it.

Sincerely,

Jessica Preston
- Fargo, North Dakota
2007

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Hi, Jessica. Your classmate may not have been referring to an actual projector when he used the verb "project". I think he may be referring to dye sublimation.

In this case, you put special cartridges into your inkjet printer that contain "sublimation dye" rather than regular ink before you print the photo onto paper. Meanwhile, the canvas is coated with a special latex sublimation paint, usually plain white. The picture and canvas are placed together and heat is applied. The dye "sublimates" (vaporizes) and is absorbed onto the canvas, and your amazing photo is now on canvas.

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
2007

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I'm looking for the same paint too, the Smithsonian had a wall in their space museum that had this application.

Tried these google searches without much luck:
Photosensitive paint
light sensitive paint
expose/exposure paint

Min Sherman
- Chicago, Illinois
September 13, 2008

Here is some photosensitive paint. I don't think it changes color from the light exposure so you couldn't transfer a color print. http://www.dharmatrading.com/info/sun_paint.html

Robert Gray
- Cabot, Arkansas
January 4, 2009

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January 29, 2009

I think I know what you guys are looking for... I was also told it was called light sensitive paint, or UV paint. From what I found, it is also referred to as Blacklight paint. There is 1 company that I know of that makes this paint, DayGlo. Their official website is www.dayglo.com; there is an online store as well as tips on using the paint.

Hope this helps!
-Amanda

Amanda Lemieux
- Montréal, Québec, Canada

What you need to look for is a poly paint.

Bud thornburg
- cherokee North Carolina
April 10, 2011