Eco Printing Ink

Squeezy showing ink consistency.

Mini screen used for fabric swatches for eco ink developments.

            Ecology Evolution 

A brief section taken from my journal to explain some of the project concerns and issues I have been developing as part of my dissemination review.

The eco ink I have been developing needs a bit more developing. On small prints it works great on larger areas it tends to fade in areas. Therefore it’s not as coherent as I would expect. The up side to this is that it may well be a consistency problem which is easily fixed, more seaweed extract when being made. It could do with being less runny, it would make printing easier as well. I have added made two fade as part of the wearing scheme for this product as is the case for indigo denim jeans, wearing and fading is part of the products nature.

Indigo eco ink print ,hand made ink.

eco ink showing printing errors, rippling of fabric

Slightly un even, could be that the fabric was a bit creased more weight could have been used. However a thicker consistency of ink may well correct this problem.

The current alternative would be to buy eco printing ink and process designs this way until a better hand made ink is finalised. 

Eco ink purchased on line.

Eco ink which I have purchased as an alternative currently while I develop my own printing ink to a standard that would work on larger prints.

Undyed linen sample showing faded out effect of dye.

3 machine washes, this has faded the most likely due to the weave.

Calico 3 washes has stayed fixed the best out of all the samples.

Linen Tote bag

Linen tote bag small with pom poms.

 lining onside panels needs dark pattern extended.

undyed calico Tote bag.

Large linen tote bag.

Inside I have printed carbon footprint fabric. The side panels would need to have a longer strip of dark repeat due to the 3d element of the design requiring more repeat so that it follows the same length to create a straight line of print instead of it staggering .

Commercial wall papers.

Commercial wall papers for promoting the protection of Antarctica.

Commercial wall paper to create a value in regard to green issues and how to make a difference to protect Antartica by reducing climate change by changing life styles to encourage the reduction in single use plastics and other reducing and saving measures within individual lives.

These wall papers are designed for campaign office for climate change, libraries, schools colleges, universities and retail outlets ie coffee shops and cinemas.
The wall papers could also be used in marketing campaigns to promote eco evo products.

Carbon footprint wall paper

Lazer Cutting

Laser Cutting upcycled leather A4 size sheets to add information on tote bag design.

Using the words Eco Evo (Ecology Evolution), Eco ink representing the eco hand made ink that has been used on the product.

And M2 Fade( made to fade ) introducing the consumer to a deeper meaning of the product and how it is made.

This label has a natural error through the process which adds a patined effect, worn and weathered which is the look I’m looking for for this design.

The colours to be printed are navy , black, biscuits.

The laser machine is very technical and a technician is needed for this job.The image below shows the laser bed which is approx A4 insize

up cycled leather swatches.

Laser bed with leather before cutting.

Computer needs the soft ware Coral for this machine.
Leather needs to be laid flat and put into place.This machine needs to be watched throughout production and needs to be stopped if it gets to smoky.
Up cycled leather from an old leather colour swatch book possibly for leather upholstery.

Leather tags.

Completed leather tags for tote bag.These could do with pressing to flatten them. The heat from the laser cutter has heated up the leather and shrunk areas when printing.

Preparing MA hand in 20th May 2019

The beginning of my final hand in box, I’m using an ecru fabric box. I have a number of fabric swatches, wall Muriel remaining to add is a tote bag, maybe a smaller tote and a different colour way. I will try packaging tote with a paper wrap around. Needed to complete some wallpapers to match fabrics, also need to test inks that I have made onto swatch fabric.

Tote Bag Fabrics and colourways

Ecru calico fabric swatches

Linen fabric searches for Tote bag. Indigo navy/ white. Natural undyed linen/indigo nsvy .

Sample of completed tote bag.

Indigo tote bag front image.

Back of your printed message to encourage people to use less single use plastics.

Hand made Pom Poms

Detail on tote bag, up cycled penny, cotton pom poms and leather tags.

I have made my pom poms by hand using a traditional method using cotton yarn and wool. Crocheting a strap and crocheting poms together linking to tote bag using a small gold clasp and loops. These loops need to be soldered as I have test worn a tote bag and the metal loops stretch out and poms fall off, its the same with the old pennies.