As an experienced art writer and creative consultant, I’m thrilled to explore the burgeoning world of environmentally-conscious printmaking. In our 15 years installing… Over the past few decades, we’ve seen a sea change in the printmaking community, with artists and studios pioneering innovative techniques and materials to create beautiful, high-impact prints while minimizing their ecological footprint.
Now, this might seem counterintuitive…
Gone are the days when printmaking was synonymous with harsh chemicals, toxic solvents, and unsustainable waste. Today’s eco-minded artists are leading the charge towards a greener, cleaner future for the medium – and the results are nothing short of inspiring.
Greening the Printmaking Studio
The push for more sustainable printmaking practices has roots stretching back to the 1980s, when visionary artists like Nik Semenoff and the late Keith Howard began investigating alternative, non-toxic methods. These pioneers recognized the urgent need to rethink the traditional printmaking workflow, which had remained largely unchanged since the 16th and 17th centuries.
One of the first hubs for this environmental awakening was the Edinburgh Printmakers collective in Scotland. Founded in 1967, Edinburgh Printmakers was at the forefront of the non-toxic printmaking movement, completely overhauling their classic techniques in favor of greener alternatives like acrylic resist etching, water-based screenprinting, and environmentally-friendly lithography.
“The history of printmaking is a history of aesthetics, invention, and perfection – not only in technical terms but also conceptually,” wrote Friedhard Kiekeben, a member of Edinburgh Printmakers. “Whereas a canvas and the actual practice of painting has changed very little in many centuries, the practice of printmaking has been accompanied by continuous development, and more recently by major re-invention.”
This pioneering spirit has spread to printmaking studios across the UK and beyond. Places like the artist-run Swansea Print Workshop in Wales, the Green Door Printmaking Studio in the Midlands, and East London Printmakers have all embraced sustainable approaches, swapping out harmful solvents for vegetable oils, exploring water-based inks, and repurposing materials whenever possible.
Linocut: A Green Printmaking Staple
One of the most eco-friendly printmaking techniques is the humble linocut. By carving designs into linoleum blocks, artists can create stunning relief prints without the need for harsh chemicals or wasteful processes.
The key to making linocut an environmentally sound choice lies in the material itself. Traditional “battleship grey” linoleum is an all-natural composite made from rosins, wood pulp, linseed oil, and Hessian – a fully biodegradable matrix. While the more durable “Softcut” variety contains plastics that won’t break down, savvy artists can often source offcuts and scraps from local flooring companies, diverting waste from landfills.
When it comes to inks, water-based and oil-hybrid formulas have become the go-to for eco-conscious linocut printmakers. Brands like Speedball Relief Ink and Caligo Safe Wash eliminate the need for harsh solvents, allowing for easy, water-based cleanup. And by planning their prints carefully and reusing paper scraps, artists can minimize waste at every stage of the linocut process.
Reinventing Intaglio
If linocut represents the green end of the printmaking spectrum, intaglio techniques like etching and aquatint have historically been among the most environmentally harmful. The cocktail of acids, solvents, and other hazardous chemicals involved in creating etched plates has long posed serious risks to both artists’ health and the natural world.
Thankfully, a new generation of innovative printmakers is ushering in a wave of non-toxic intaglio alternatives. Leading the charge is Danish artist Henrik Bøegh, whose 2003 publication “Handbook of Non-Toxic Intaglio” outlined game-changing methods like acrylic resists, photopolymer plates, and metal salt etching solutions.
One such eco-friendly technique is the “Edinburgh Etch,” developed by Friedhard Kiekeben of Edinburgh Printmakers. This process uses a solution of ferric chloride and citric acid to etch copper, brass, and steel plates, eliminating the need for traditional nitric acid baths.
Printmaker Cedric Green has also pioneered a revolutionary “Galv-Etch” process, which leverages passive electrolytic etching to create intricate plates without toxic chemicals. By combining this greener etching approach with oil-based inks and selective wiping, Green is able to produce richly layered, multi-color prints that push the boundaries of intaglio.
Sustainable Screenprinting
Screenprinting, with its vibrant colors and adaptability to a wide range of surfaces, has long been a favorite among artists and designers seeking to make an impact. However, the industry has also grappled with significant environmental challenges – particularly around the use of hazardous plastisol inks and harsh solvents.
Thankfully, the tide is turning, with more and more studios embracing water-based screenprinting inks as a greener alternative. While these aqueous formulas may not always achieve the same opaque, neon, or metallic effects as their solvent-based counterparts, they represent a crucial step towards reducing the printmaking industry’s environmental footprint.
Beyond the inks themselves, eco-conscious screenprinters are also finding innovative ways to cut down on waste. Techniques like reusing emulsion-coated screens, leveraging citrus-based cleaners, and printing multiple colors from a single screen help minimize consumables and conserve resources.
Expanding the Boundaries of Printmaking
As the sustainable printmaking movement has gained momentum, we’ve also seen artists pushing the boundaries of the medium in exciting new directions. Interdisciplinary printmaker Jacoub Reyes, for example, has been pioneering a range of experimental, eco-friendly techniques in their work.
“Reyes will share their experience of incorporating eco-friendly practices into the printmaking process, exploring how traditional techniques can adapt to current environmental needs,” explains a recent event description. “The discussion will cover alternative materials, non-toxic inks, and methods that expand the boundaries of printmaking.”
By embracing a spirit of discovery and innovation, artists like Reyes are not only creating beautiful, sustainable prints – they’re also redefining what’s possible within the printmaking discipline. Whether it’s experimenting with natural pigments, repurposing found materials, or developing novel plate-making methods, these trailblazers are charting a course towards a greener, more enlightened future for the art form.
Putting Sustainability into Practice
Of course, transitioning to more eco-friendly printmaking practices isn’t always straightforward. There can be technical challenges, supply chain hurdles, and even cultural resistance to overcome. But the artists and studios at the forefront of this movement are demonstrating that with creativity, determination, and a commitment to the planet, it is possible to create stunning, high-impact prints while minimizing environmental harm.
As an art writer and creative consultant, I’m continuously inspired by the innovative solutions emerging from the printmaking community. From local flooring companies offering up linoleum scraps to enterprising artists brewing their own non-toxic inks, the drive to go green is sparking a renaissance of artistic expression and environmental stewardship.
Whether you’re a seasoned printmaker or a curious newcomer, I encourage you to explore the wealth of sustainable techniques and materials available. By embracing eco-friendly approaches, we can not only reduce our impact on the planet, but also unlock new realms of creative possibility. The future of printmaking is undoubtedly bright – and greener than ever before.
Example: Pencil Portrait Challenge 2024