What is Eco-Printing?

Eco-printing is an art technique that transfers natural patterns and pigments of leaves, petals, roots, seeds onto fabric or paper. It is a celebration of nature's timeless cycles and quiet transformations where each piece carries the gentle imprints of nature.

Best Fabrics for Beginners

We highly recommend using natural fabrics like silk or cotton which guarantees better results. No matter the fabric, you just have to ensure it is natural, not dyed with chemicals, and easy to handle.

Your Guide to Eco-Printing

1. Begin by preparing your fabrics by scouring and mordanting. This step is crucial to ensure vibrant hues bond with the fabric to hold color for a long time. Scouring is simply washing your fabric in hot water with a pH neutral detergent. You can mordant a fabric by using alum or iron. Without mordants, plant pigments mostly wash away. Dissolve your mordant in a bowl of warm water, swish, and place your fabric into the bath for about an hour. Remove and squeeze out the excess water.

2. Dip your foliage in iron water and place them onto the wide spread damp fabric. Play with your empty canvas and create art!

3. Once you have arranged everything onto your fabrics, place another sheet over it to avoid spreading of pigments. Gently roll it up into a bundle and secure with strings.

4. Steam your bundle over medium heat for around an hour and a half. The longer you steam, the darker the shades!

5. Remove the bundle and unwrap it slowly.

6. Give a nice rinse under plenty of cold water to remove residues. Dry it in a shady and cool place.

7. There you go! You have made your own eco-printed fabric!

Like I always say, there are no set rules or a guidebook when experimenting with nature! These are the basic steps to follow when eco-printing. The possibilities are countless. Spend your time understanding various fabrics, foliage, hues, and paint your endless canvas as you desire.

If you'd like to explore or purchase the gentle imprints of nature we have curated, check them out here.