The Study of Differences in Color Adhesion of Plants: Natural Mordant Experiments with the Eco-Printing Technique

Abstract

This study is part of the research on natural dyes utilizing various mordants. The purpose is to examine artwork’s creativity, development process, and the benefits of dyeing with natural plants and mordants. The experiment involves dyeing fabrics using the Eco-printing technique, employing plants that can be found in all seasons and have distinct shapes. The study revealed that the creative and artistic development process usually begins with selecting natural plants or leaves with diverse shapes or characteristics that originate within the artist’s community. In this study, mordants were incorporated into the Eco-printing process to enhance the adhesion of natural dyes. Mordant, or the dyeing agent, enables fabric fibers to absorb natural dyes, resulting in different shades of colors that can be employed in various works. There are four noticeable points to be considered during the process of dyeing experiment with the Eco-printing technique: 1) Preparation of mordants: Several materials can be used, depending on its property; iron rust water provides zinc, fermented pineapple water contains acetate, and lye water from the plant can convert acetic acid to iron. Acetate and salt help intensify the color during the dyeing process. 2) Fabric preparation: Priority should be given to natural fibers since they exhibit better color adhesion, resulting in more distinct patterns. The prepared fabric was soaked in mordants, squeezed to remove excess agents, and left to air dry. Each type of mordant possesses different characteristics that affect the resulting color, suggesting the idea of developing a more suitable mordant formula for dyeing purposes. 3) Some plant leaves do not provide color, and the climate conditions can affect the color obtained; for example, eucalyptus and pine leaves must be trimmed properly to facilitate easy attachment to the dyed fabric. 4) Steaming process: The plastic wrapping process should be tightly secured to ensure maximum contact between the plastic wrap and the fabric while avoiding the formation of wrinkles. The duration of the steaming can affect the adhesion of the color. Maintaining a consistent temperature throughout the steaming process facilitates effective color adhesion and enables artwork development.