Eco-Printing on Silk

Eco-printing uses natural plant materials to transfer colour and shapes directly onto textile and/or paper fibres. In this workshop, you will learn the art of eco-printing on silk and leave with four printed silk scarves, perfect for gifts or personal use.

We will explore:

• Different techniques for bundling and wrapping silk.
• Printing with and without the use of natural dyes.
• How to use blankets, modifiers and additives to influence your prints.

By the end of the workshop, you will have the knowledge and confidence to continue eco-printing on silk from home. You’ll also receive handouts detailing the steps, plus additional resources to guide you in further exploration.

During the workshop, we’ll cover:

• Preparation of silk for eco-printing.
• Selection and preparation of plant materials that work best with silk.
• How to achieve results at home without needing specialised equipment.
• The language and key concepts used in eco-printing.
• Tips on sourcing materials and supplies, and recommendations for further reading and learning.

Important Note: Eco-printing is a process driven by nature’s unpredictability. If you’re seeking a workshop focused on achieving highly controlled results, this will not be the best fit. However, if you enjoy the organic and unpredictable beauty of the process, you’ll leave inspired to experiment further at home.

You’ll also receive a detailed handout with information on where to purchase supplies, recommended reading, and other eco-print artists to explore.

All necessary materials for this workshop are covered in your Materials Fee.

– 3x silk scarves for eco-printing
– botanical materials for our eco-printing
– mordants and dyes required for this process
– equipment for boiling
– tea and coffee, with a light morning and afternoon tea

Something to take your wet scarves home – the silk can dry fast, but your scarves will need to be rinsed when you get home, to remove any residue left on them from the eco-printing process. An old towel will be good to bundle your silks to take home.

Lunch. You can pop into town to buy lunch, but it is a few minutes drive and parking can be difficult (Maleny is a popular weekend destination). Therefore I recommend you bring your lunch and maximise the time you have printing and learning in the studio.

Bring a journal or notebook for taking notes during the workshop.

​Participants are advised to wear closed in shoes, and suitable clothing or apron that you do not mind getting dirty.

We will be working with natural, non-toxic materials on the day. Gloves will be provided to be used when we unwrap our eco-printed papers at the end of the workshop.