eco-friendly alternative to screen printing transforms red cabbage into organic pigment

screen printing with a ph indicator, acid, and base

Artist Johannes Cyamaya takes an experimental, organic approach to screen printing by swapping typical specialized plastisol inks out for a vegetable colorant. The Cyanidin Screen Printing series explores the properties of natural pH indicators for design, transforming red cabbage into a vibrant, eco-friendly pigment. The cyanidin ink’s inherent chemical qualities lend it the ability to change color when exposed to a household acid or base, proposing a sustainable alternative to traditional screen printing techniques.

cyanidin: from red cabbage to natural colorant

The process of screen printing typically involves transferring ink through a pre-prepared mesh stencil or screen onto a flat surface which is often a type of fabric or paper. The ink passes through the openings of the screens when pressed through a squeegee transferring the design in one swift motion. While in the traditional process, long-lasting specialized inks are used, Johannes Cyamaya’s natural cyanidin ink can retain its pigmentation for a few months.

The artist further shares through video tutorials how others can make their own vegetable-based inks for screen printing with pH indicators at home. To begin with, cabbage will need to be cooked in water for 30 minutes, from which the colored water will be poured off and evaporated into a dye to 80% of its original volume. Then starch is added into the mixture which is left to cool down, steamed until creamy, then prepared to print with. Once designs are transferred onto the paper, further depth and distortion can be created by spraying water and either citric acid or vinegar onto the desired areas, where the colors will change gradually.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HK0dcfT6WpI

project info:

name: Cyanidin Screen Printing
designer: Johannes Cyamaya

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