Eco Printing: Exploring Creative and Sustainable Printmaking Techniques

What Is Eco Printing and Why Does It Matter?

Eco printing is more than just a trend – it’s a way of combining creativity with sustainability. This experimental form of printmaking uses natural materials like leaves, flowers, and plant-based dyes to create one-of-a-kind prints on paper and fabric. Instead of relying solely on chemical inks, eco printing taps into nature’s colours, patterns, and textures.

For artists who care about both expression and the environment, eco printing offers a refreshing way to reduce waste, use fewer chemicals, and create artwork that feels deeply connected to the natural world.

The Magic of Eco Printing with Leaves and Flowers

At its simplest, eco printing involves placing leaves, flowers, or natural objects onto a sheet of paper or fabric, then applying pressure and sometimes heat to transfer the pigments. Each plant leaves its own unique shape and colour imprint, making the process almost like collaborating with nature itself.

Tips for successful leaf and flower eco printing:

• Use fresh leaves and flowers with strong pigments (like rose, eucalyptus, or onion skins).
• Try layering different plants for more complex textures.
• Steam or press your paper/fabric bundle to help the colours transfer.

This technique is especially popular for greeting cards, wrapping paper, or experimental art prints. You can stock up on eco-friendly papers from our printmaking papers collection, which are durable enough to withstand wet processes.

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Cyanotype: Sunlight-Powered Printing

If you’ve ever seen bold blue-and-white prints of plants or objects, you’ve probably admired a cyanotype. This 19th-century technique, sometimes called “sun printing,” uses a special light-sensitive solution applied to paper or fabric. Once exposed to sunlight, the coated surface turns a rich Prussian blue, leaving behind a striking silhouette of whatever was placed on it.

Why artists love cyanotype:

• It’s eco-friendly, relying on sunlight instead of electricity.
• The process is simple and beginner-friendly.
• Results are immediate and always unique.

Cyanotype is perfect for making wall art, fabric patterns, or even experimental photography.

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Printing with Plant-Based Inks: From Kitchen to Studio

Another exciting branch of eco printing is experimenting with plant-based inks. Instead of commercial pigments, artists create natural inks from ingredients like turmeric, beetroot, spinach, or even coffee. These inks can be used for stamping, painting, or simple printmaking projects.

Some ideas to try:

• Turmeric ink for golden yellow tones.
• Beetroot ink for warm pinks and reds.
• Coffee or tea washes for subtle sepia effects.

While natural inks can fade faster than professional ones, they’re a fun way to experiment with textures and colours while staying eco-friendly. For more durable prints, you can always combine natural inks with professional printmaking inks from our printmaking section.

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Why Eco Printing Matters in Today’s Art World

Eco printing isn’t just about aesthetics. It also reflects a wider shift toward sustainability in art and design. As awareness grows about the environmental impact of chemicals and mass production, artists are leading the way in adopting eco-conscious techniques.

Benefits of eco printing include:

• Reducing reliance on harsh chemicals.
• Encouraging the use of local and seasonal materials.
• Inspiring creativity by working with natural limitations.
• Producing truly one-of-a-kind results.

This is why eco printing is increasingly seen in workshops, schools, and creative studios worldwide.

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Getting Started: What You’ll Need

If you’re curious about trying eco printing at home, you don’t need a professional print studio. A few essential supplies will help you begin experimenting:

• Eco-friendly printmaking papers
• Fabric or natural textiles
• Leaves, flowers, and kitchen-based pigments
• Brayers, rollers, and printmaking tools (see our rollers and brayers collection)
• Optional: a cyanotype starter kit for sunlight prints

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Workshops and Community Learning

While eco printing can be fun to explore on your own, it’s even more inspiring when shared in a group. At The Deckle Edge, we regularly host workshops and events that focus on printmaking, cyanotype, and other creative techniques. These sessions are perfect for beginners and experienced artists alike.

Learn more about our current events here: Workshops and Events.

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Where to Find More Inspiration

If eco printing excites you, our South Africa art supplies blog is packed with guides, tutorials, and creative ideas: Explore the blog.

And if you have questions about supplies or want advice on what to start with, our team is always here to help. Contact us directly: Get in touch.