Eco-Printing: Crafting with a Conscience
Faculty Mentor
Ginelle Hustrulid
Document Type
Creative Work
Start Date
10-5-2023 11:15 AM
End Date
10-5-2023 1:00 PM
Location
PUB NCR
Department
Design
Abstract
Block printing is a traditional art form that involves using carved blocks to imprint designs onto fabric, paper, or other surfaces. While it can create beautiful and unique designs, the materials used in the process can have a significant impact on the environment. For example, if the blocks are made from non-renewable resources such as plastics or metals, or if the ink used contains harmful chemicals, it can contribute to waste and pollution. This project explores the use of eco-friendly block printing materials to reduce impact on the planet by reusing and recycling materials and considering the lifecycle of materials. In this project, printing blocks were made from recycled materials and found items such as scrap wood and linoleum/formica from new home builds, the pigments for the ink were made from plant and food scraps, and paper was created using scrap paper from recycle bins.
The result is a series of prints on hand-made paper, printed with homemade ink and blocks of recycled materials. The designs themselves are botanical in nature and often compliment the paper they are printed on. For instance, a grapefruit carving is placed on paper that was made with fragments of grapefruit. No “new” materials were used or are part of the finished work. This process was not easier, but it was worthwhile. Throughout this project, I reinforced the conclusion that it is possible to use eco-friendly materials for block printing which help reduce waste, conserve resources and minimize harm to the environment.
Recommended Citation
Brisbin, Katrina, "Eco-Printing: Crafting with a Conscience" (2023). 2023 Symposium. 2.
https://dc.ewu.edu/srcw_2023/res_2023/p2_2023/2
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.
Eco-Printing: Crafting with a Conscience
PUB NCR
Block printing is a traditional art form that involves using carved blocks to imprint designs onto fabric, paper, or other surfaces. While it can create beautiful and unique designs, the materials used in the process can have a significant impact on the environment. For example, if the blocks are made from non-renewable resources such as plastics or metals, or if the ink used contains harmful chemicals, it can contribute to waste and pollution. This project explores the use of eco-friendly block printing materials to reduce impact on the planet by reusing and recycling materials and considering the lifecycle of materials. In this project, printing blocks were made from recycled materials and found items such as scrap wood and linoleum/formica from new home builds, the pigments for the ink were made from plant and food scraps, and paper was created using scrap paper from recycle bins.
The result is a series of prints on hand-made paper, printed with homemade ink and blocks of recycled materials. The designs themselves are botanical in nature and often compliment the paper they are printed on. For instance, a grapefruit carving is placed on paper that was made with fragments of grapefruit. No “new” materials were used or are part of the finished work. This process was not easier, but it was worthwhile. Throughout this project, I reinforced the conclusion that it is possible to use eco-friendly materials for block printing which help reduce waste, conserve resources and minimize harm to the environment.
