What is Eco Printing? The Mystery Explained

Eco printing is an innovative and sustainable art form that uses natural elements to create beautiful, organic designs on fabric and paper. Ever since I discovered it many years ago I have been so enthralled with it. I love that this printing method that does not rely on synthetic dyes and harsh chemicals.

Eco printing harnesses the natural pigments found in plants, leaves, flowers, and other natural materials to transfer designs permanently. Also known as botanical printing, I love this celebrated eco-friendly approach to printing. It lets me connect with nature; producing amazing one-of-a-kind patterns.

In this tutorial; we will explore how it works, and why artists like myself and environmental enthusiasts love it.

What is Eco Printing?

Eco printing is a dyeing technique that involves placing plant materials onto fabric or paper, bundling them tightly. Applying heat and moisture will extract the natural dyes from the plants. These dyes create an imprint on the material, capturing the intricate details, colours, and shapes of the leaves, and other botanical elements used.

I quickly found that unlike synthetic dyes, which are uniform and predictable; the results of eco printing are often quite varied and unique, reflecting the natural variations in the plant materials and the environment in which they were grown. This unpredictability is part of the charm, making the unrolling of a bundle so exciting each time!

What Supplies do you need to Eco print?

• Natural type of fabric/paper
• Botanical Specimens (leaves, flowers, bark)
• Dowel or pipe to roll bundle
• Barrier material (optional)
• Heat source/method for processing (microwave)
• String or twine for tying bundle
• Gloves, apron, dust mask (when working with powders)
• Various vessels/buckets for rinsing, iron dip, dyeing.

How Does Eco Printing Work?

Eco printing is a simple yet magical process that can be broken down into several key steps:

1. Collecting Plant Materials:

• The first step is to gather your botanical materials. This can include leaves, flowers, bark, berries, and other plant parts. It’s important to select plants that are rich in natural tannins, as these are more likely to produce strong, lasting prints, as the colour of the leaf does not mean you will print that colour. Some interesting plant shapes can be captured in a slightly different resist method.

• Some popular plant choices for Eco printing include eucalyptus, Blackberry, Maple, Sumac, Cotinus, black Walnut, chestnut, Sycamore, Redbud, Birch, Oak and Rose leaves. Becoming familiar with which species and keeping notes will help you predict your results. You can dry and store leaves for later use as well.

2. Preparing the Fabric or Paper:

• Before (sometimes during) printing, the fabric or paper must be prepared, often by mordanting. Mordanting is the process of treating the material (natural fibres in fabric or paper) with a substance (commonly alum, iron, aluminum acetate, or commercially available mordants) that helps the natural dyes bond to the fibres. One very common and reliable printing aid is iron which can be used in different ways such as a pre-soak, ‘iron blanket‘, or even mixed into a mordant (You can even make an ‘iron water’ with rusty nails)

• Natural fabrics like cotton, linen, hemp, silk, alpaca, and wool work best for eco printing, as their fibres absorb dyes more effectively than synthetic materials. Fibres that come from animals are called protein fibres and ones that are made from plants are called cellulose fibres. I have found that protein fibres tend to easily print; such as silk & wool.

3. Arranging the Plant Materials:

• Once your fabric or paper is prepared, arrange the plant materials (re-hydrated or fresh leaves) on the surface. This step is where I can get creative, experimenting with different layouts, layering, and combinations of plants to achieve various effects. Moisture is an important element so I make sure fabric is wet but not much to cause bleeding.

• The ‘bundle’ is then rolled or folded, with the plant materials inside, and then tightly bound to make sure there is good contact with the intended fabric/paper surface. String twine or clamps can help keep layers in place. If you wrap a barrier (plastic, fabric, paper) that is impermeable it will prevent prints from bleeding (ghosting) through multiple layers.

4. Steaming or Boiling:

• The bundled fabric or paper is then processed with heat; steamed (in a stove steamer vessel, turkey roaster, or pot) boiled (simmered) or even microwaved. I would rather use less energy, so much of my alternate process involves insulation. The amount of time will depend on size, thickness and fabric. The heat and moisture help to extract the natural dyes from the plant materials, which are then transferred to the fabric or paper.

• The steaming or boiling process usually takes 1-2 hours, but it can vary depending on the type of plants used and the material being printed. Another thing to consider is size of bundles for ease of processing.

5. Unwrapping and Rinsing:

• After the steaming process, the bundle is allowed to cool before unwrapping. This moment is always exciting, as you get to see the results of the eco printing process.

• Finally, the printed fabric or paper is rinsed in cool water to remove any residual plant matter and set the colours.

Why is Eco Printing So Popular?

Eco printing has gained popularity for several reasons:

• Eco-Friendly and Sustainable: Unlike synthetic dyes, which can be harmful to the environment, eco printing uses natural materials and minimal chemicals. This makes it a more sustainable choice for artists and crafters who are conscious of their environmental impact.
• Connection to Nature: Eco printing allows us to connect with nature in a tangible way, I love going for a walk in nature and collecting specimens. Each unique piece is a reflection of your own environment!
• Uniqueness: No two eco prints are ever alike. The natural variations in plant materials, your design, fabric, make every print a completely unique piece of art.
• Versatility: Eco printing can be done on a variety of materials. They include fabric, paper, leather (tutorial coming soon), Kraft-Tex, ceramic and even wood. This gives endless creative possibilities; from clothing and accessories to home decor and fine art.

Getting Started with Eco Printing

If you’re interested in trying eco printing, here are a few tips to help you get started:

• Start Small: Begin with small pieces of fabric (clean up-cycled fabric) or paper to experiment with different plants and techniques. This will help you learn what works best before committing to larger projects.
• Experiment with Mordants: Different mordants can produce different effects, so don’t be afraid to experiment. For example, iron mordants (rusty water or Iron sulphate) can darken colours, while alum tends to brighten them. You can also make your own mordant recipes.

• Collect Seasonal Materials: The availability of plant materials does change with the seasons. This also adds a seasonal aspect to your work, I especially love using the Autumn leaves.

Conclusion

Eco printing is more than just an innovative printing technique. It’s a way to engage with the natural world and create art that is both beautiful and sustainable. But don’t stop there, Eco printing can be combined with natural plant dye for even more creative possibilities! So, why not gather some leaves, and see where this ancient art form can take you? Check this tutorial section for many more instructional posts

Perhaps you’ll add the use of natural dyes like Cochineal and make your own silk scarf! Happy making!