Ecoprint is an artisan printing technique that permanently transfers the pigment and shape of leaves, roots and flowers to natural fabrics.
The imprint collected from nature and stamped onto our fabrics is UNIQUE and UNREPEATABLE, and all the processes used are environmentally friendly.
The captivating result of the prints is subject to multiple variables such as the position in which the leaf rests on the fabric, the harvest season, the humidity in the environment, the maturity of the botanical material and the thickness of the fabric. All these circumstances have an effect on the final result.
Phase 1. Tissue conditioning
The pigments and tannins of the botanical material can express themselves with passion. The colours that nature gives us are also vibrant on natural fabrics. To express these processes, we subject the materials to a treatment called “mordentation”. The term “mordent” comes from the Latin “moderé”, meaning ‘to attach, join something’ – and is synonymous with biting, seizing and grabbing. The mordants, which are substances of mineral or vegetable origin, are intended to serve as a link between the structure of the fibres and the colour particles.
Phase 2. Selection of expressive plants for captivating prints
The choice of botanical material is essential for the final print result. In the harvest, the connection with nature and the observation of its cycles, play an important role. These are extraordinary moments of great creativity.
Ecoprint requires continuous experiments to discover the soul, the composition and the behaviour of the leaf, flower, root or plant. Idyllic conditions for obtaining the most expressive, vibrant and captivating eco-prints are also needed. However, not all plants leave a mark or colour.
Phase 3. Transformation process
Once the fabrics have been prepared and the botanical material selected, it is time to arrange the leaves, flowers and plants on the fabrics according to the design that we imagine creating.
Once this step is finished, we bind the bundle tightly and then it is steamed. At that moment, the tannins and pigments of the elements used are expelled, which are in turn absorbed by the tissues that receive them permanently thanks to the prior preparation of the fabrics.
At this moment, the physical leaf, flower, root or plant becomes a permanent imprint, leaving its essence as a memory of its existence.
Phase 4. Final result
The opening of the bundles and the removal of the organic material allows us to admire the imprint and the colour that each element has left on the fabric. The fabrics are hung in the open air to breathe in the gusts of mother nature.
Hand washing and final ironing enhances the colours and shapes of the eco-print creation.
The creative and elaboration process that this technique can take up to a week. We passionately enjoy this process and lovingly welcome all the results obtained.