Choosing Plants for Eco Printing

Not every plant gives a good eco print, and learning to predict which will work well is one of the most interesting and experimental parts of the craft. The chemistry of the leaf matters more than its colour in the garden — some brilliant green leaves print almost nothing, while some brown-and-rusty autumn leaves print with extraordinary richness.

The Key Factors

Tannin content is the single most reliable predictor of a good print. Tannins in the leaf act both as a mordant and as a dye, and leaves rich in tannins tend to print clearly and with good fastness. Oak, sumac (Rhus species), eucalyptus, Japanese maple, and rose leaves are all reliably tannin-rich and widely used by eco printers.

Pigment volatility matters too. Some leaves contain pigments that are easily transferred by heat and moisture; others do not. Anthocyanin pigments (the reds and purples in autumn leaves, red cabbage, and rose petals) are notoriously fugitive — they may print beautifully at first but fade quickly. Chlorophyll (the green in all leaves) rarely transfers at all.

Leaf structure: thick, waxy, or hairy leaves tend to print less clearly than thin, smooth ones. A fresh oak or Japanese maple leaf lays flat and transfers its pattern well; a thick succulent leaf will not.

Reliable Eco-Printing Plants

Eucalyptus is perhaps the most celebrated eco printing plant, particularly among dyers working in Australia, California, or Spain where the trees are common. Different species produce different colours — from rust orange and gold to grey-green and near-black — with excellent fastness. Oak (any Quercus species) gives rich tans and browns. Japanese maple (Acer palmatum) often prints in striking rust-red or orange. Sumac leaves print well in gold and tan. Geranium (Pelargonium) species give soft pinks and corals on silk.

In autumn, fallen leaves of many species are worth testing: the decline in chlorophyll and rise in anthocyanins and tannins can produce excellent results with plants that print poorly when fresh.

Plants That Rarely Work

Grass, most purely green garden leaves, and thick tropical foliage generally disappoint. Flowers are unpredictable: some (rose petals, marigolds, black-eyed Susans) give at least a pale impression; others leave nothing. Testing is the only way to know.

Collecting and Storing

Fresh leaves give the most reliable prints. Dried leaves can also be used — re-hydrate briefly in water before arranging on the fabric. Experimenting with the same leaf species at different times of year (spring flush, late summer, autumn senescence) will produce noticeably different results. Keep a notebook with swatches of your results alongside leaf samples — this becomes an invaluable personal reference. See also Step 03 — What Is Eco Printing and Step 14 — Bundling and Steaming Techniques.