Fundamentals of Ecoprinting November 2026

Ecoprinting (also known as botanical printing) is a contemporary technique, which adapts the fundamentals of natural dyeing to extract the pigment directly from the plant straight to the fabric - in this way, we're able to capture the shape and subtle nuances of the colors hidden within the leaves. The goal isn't necessarily to create a rainbow of colors, but to use the plant material to directly give patterns, shapes, and textures. 

This is the most complete ecoprinting on fabric workshop I offer - working on vegetable and protein fabrics, sharing multiple mordanting, and exploring various bundling strategies that allow for many different effects. In this workshop, we will have a theory and practical session so participants can understand how ecoprinting works and experience different ways to apply them to their projects. 

You will learn:

• Methods for how to clean your fibers

• Multiple mordant (pre-treatment) recipes for preparing vegetable fabrics (i.e. cotton and linen) AND animal fabrics (wool & silk)

• All about the plants: Plants that print, how to store them, dry vs fresh, sustainable harvesting.

• Bundling strategies for different pattern effects

• Options when cooking

• Wash and care over time

Program:

• Introduction to ecoprinting and the process

• Printing herbariums on cotton, silk, and wool fabrics with different pre-treatments (group excercise)

• Lunch

• Opening and reflecting on herbariums

• Printing final project (your choice of organic cotton t-shirt, apron, or 90x90 satin silk scarf (+€40))

You will take home a piece of each herbarium, an eco printed tote bag, t-shirt, apron, OR silk scarf (choose at checkout), plants from the workshop to use at home, a digital booklet of common eco printing plants and an in-depth digital booklet to continue ecoprinting on your own! 

Maximum 6 participants. All materials are included, including snacks. Please bring your own lunch to eat during the break. 

You can see a little bit about what the Fundamentals of Ecoprinting workshop looks like in these Instagram posts: process & results.

Please note that the workshop can sometimes extend up to one hour after the programmed time.

For ecoprinting on PAPER please join the ecoprinting workshop at FICA in Lisbon, which covers this topic.

FAQ:

How do I get there?  Como chego lá?

The workshop will be held at Tinctorium Studio in Abóboda, São Domingos de Rana (close to Carcavelos). By car, it's about 20-30 minutes fom Lisbon and 20 minutes from Cascais. By public transport you can take the train from Lisbon to Oeiras or Carcavelos (Cais do Sodré-Cascais line) and several busses that get you very close (4 min walk) from these train stations.

What language will the workshop be taught in? Em que idioma o será workshop ?

The workshop will be taught in the common language of the group (English or Portuguese), if there is no common language translations will be provided in both. The digital booklet is available in both languages.

What's for lunch? O que há para o almoço?

We'll break for lunch halfway through the workshop, so please bring your lunch. I'll have some light refreshments, drinks, and dessert. 

Do I need to bring anything? Preciso trazer alguma coisa?

All materials are included in the enrollment price, but it's recommended to bring a pen and something to write on, appropriate clothing that can get dirty, and a hat or sunscreen since we will be outside. 

What if it rains? E se chover?

Tinctorium Studio now has a physical studio where the workshop can take place regardless of rain. Should the weather prevision call for rain, please bring a rainjacket so we can still go out to get some plants. Warm clothing is recomended in the colder season as the studio remains with open doors.

How many people will there be in the workshop? Quantas pessoas estarão na oficina?

The workshop will run with a minimum of 4 participants and a maximum of 6 so everyone can work comfortably and I can give attention to all. 

What if I have to cancel? E se eu tiver que cancelar?

Ticket purchases are fully refundable up to 10 days before the start of the workshop, cancellations after this will not be reimbursed but can be credited to a future workshop with a rescheduling fee of €20. Cancellations within 72-hours before the start of the workshop are not eligible for refund or credit.  

There is an enormous amount of preparation, planning, and material purchasing that goes into each workshop so, unfortunately, I'm unable to fulfill refunds in the days leading up. If you can't make it last minute, I recommend finding someone who would love to spend the day creating color from plants to take your place or you can apply the credit to a different date. Thank you for your understanding.

If the workshop should be cancelled by the organizer (Tinctorium) 100% of the ticket price will be refunded or applied to a future workshop of your choice.