Eco-Printing & Bookbinding

Eco-Printing & Bookbinding

with Lisa Baumgarnter and Alice Clark 

Wednesday, June 22-25, 2026 

1-4pm 

818 Pike St. Lemont, PA 

Art Alliance Members: $140
Non-Members: $175

What is Eco Printing?

Eco Printing is a natural dyeing process where the inherent pigments in plants release their colors and impressions onto the material being dyed—paper or fabric. Fresh leaves and flowers are most commonly used, but seed pods, buds, bark, and even the roots from the plants can be used. The resulting eco prints might be clearly defined or diffuse depending on how they are arranged on paper/fabric, and how much pressure is applied to the “bundle.”

For this art week, we will be layering gathered botanicals (flowers and leaves) between wet sheets of watercolor paper—stacking them as we go. Prior to arranging the botanicals on the paper, the paper will be soaked in a mordant (in our case alum) to assist in “fixing” the released plant pigments into the paper. If desired the print can be darkened, and the tones can be changed, by dipping the plant materials in various chemical and non-chemical solutions, prior to laying the plants on the paper.

The stacks of damp paper and botanicals are then steamed for 2-3 hours, which releases the plant dyes into the paper, resulting in amazing colors and textural impressions. Each print is one of a kind.

Monday and Tuesday will be spent making eco print papers, and Wednesday will be spent making one larger journal, and, time permitting, a smaller eco-print booklet. 

The session will end on Thursday with the opportunity for participants to do some nature journaling in Lemont. Participants are also invited to hike with Alice on Friday where more nature journaling can be done.

Who is Leading this Workshop?

Lisa Baumgartner: During a transformative year in Cambridge, England in 2012, Lisa had the opportunity to learn bookbinding in a traditional English bookbindery. Since that time, she has continued to learn various bookbinding methods, taking classes both in Europe and the U.S. In addition to using purchased papers for the covers of her books, Lisa also does printmaking, which allows her to create her own decorative papers using eco-printing techniques, paper rusting, gelli plate printing and collograph printing. 

The binding methods Lisa uses in her books combine traditional construction techniques, with modern adaptations. Her books reflect a fusion of the old and new—but always with an eye to a well crafted, and visually pleasing book.

Alice Clark: has a background in art and art history with a particular interest in photography. More recently she added printmaking, watercolor and other techniques to her repertoire, with particular enjoyment when hiking in the woods and doing nature and travel journal scenes. Alice has taught sessions at the Art Alliance and OLLI (Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Penn State) and is the Chair of the Travel Committee for OLLI as well as its Chair of the Hiking interest group and various local and international book clubs. She enjoys worldwide travel, going yearly to NY’s Adirondacks High Peaks area to hike, and spending weeks of art sessions at Campbell Folk Art School and also at Road Scholar Travel getaways.