Introduction to Eco-Printing

on Paper

What you need: 1. Paper that has some thickness, like cardstock. I like

to use watercolor paper (140 lb/300 g).

2. Leaves that are fresh or dried. I like to use fresh maples, sumac, rose (not petals), smoke bush, oaks, walnut and eucalyptus leaves .

3. 50/50 white distilled vinegar water solution.

4. Rusty nails, washers, wire, etc.

5. Ceramic tiles and metal clamps.

6. Dedicated turkey roaster, large crock pot, or aluminum lidded roaster on an outside BBQ side grill.

7. Two plastic containers.

8. Old towel or paper towels.

9. Rubber gloves.

10. Tweezer.

Pour approximately two cups of 50/50 vinegar/water solution into each plastic containers. Add rusty nails, cover, and let sit in a warm spot for a day. Then remove the nails.

Position the leaves on the paper. Be sure to wear gloves. I like to use a tweezer for easier placement of the leaves.

Dip the paper in the rusty water and stack the paper on the towel until ready to use. Watercolor paper needs to be soaked in the rusty water overnight.

Soak the leaves in the second container of rusty water for about 30 minutes. Stack the leaves on a towel until ready to use.

Preparation:

Sandwich and steam: Layer another piece of paper over the leaves to get another print on each side of the leaves. Press the papers between two ceramic tiles and secure the tiles with metal clamps.

Add water to the steamer, insert the tile/paper/leaves sandwich, and cover with the lid. Steam for about one hour and 30 minutes. Let cool completely before opening the sandwich.