Eco Printing with Zarah Juan, March 2026
Words and Photos by: Isa Cruz
As we prepare for Resort by ArteFino 2026, the ArteFino team recently stepped away from the pace of planning and production to spend a day learning the art of eco printing with Zarah Juan. What began as a workshop quickly became something more meaningful—a quiet reminder of the journey we have shared with the designer over the years.
For us, the experience was especially meaningful. We have witnessed Zarah’s journey closely over the years—from being ArteFino’s very first HearteFino grantee to evolving into a designer whose work continues to explore sustainability and nature-led processes. Seeing her practice deepen and transform has been a reminder of why we started ArteFino in the first place: to support designers as they grow, experiment, and find their voice.
The best ideas are found in the wild. Foraging from the backyard taught us that nature is the most generous artist if we only take the time to look
The process.
The day began with prepared fabric, already treated and ready to receive the pigments of nature. We went foraging, gathering leaves and flowers before carefully preparing the cloth—first rinsing it with water to remove any chemicals, then soaking it in a chalk bath made from baking soda and water.
Back at the workspace, the fabric went through a careful preparation. First, it was rinsed with water to remove any remaining chemicals. Then it was soaked in a gentle chalk bath made from baking soda and water—another step in preparing the cloth to receive the natural dyes.
Then came the creative part: laying out the leaves and flowers across the fabric. Each arrangement felt like composing a small landscape.. Stems, petals, and foliage were placed carefully across the fabric, forming patterns that would only fully reveal themselves much later. A blanket soaked in natural dye was placed on top to create either a colored background or negative space. The fabric was then covered with a reusable plastic sheet (we used a garbage bag), rolled tightly around a bar like pastry dough, secured with straps, and steamed to release the natural pigments.
Earth-side and inspired. From common leaves to extraordinary imprints. We’re turning backyard finds into botanical art, proving that the most meaningful materials are often the ones closest to home.
The reveal.
As the rolls were carefully opened and the cloth unfurled, delicate imprints of leaves and flowers emerged—each one unique, shaped by heat, time, and nature itself. The fabrics were then hung out to dry, carrying the quiet imprint of the day’s work.
What struck us most was how patient the process required us to be. Eco printing is meticulous, sometimes tedious, and far from instant. But it also reminds you that meaningful craft rarely happens in a rush. If you trust the process—and allow nature to take its course—the results can be quietly beautiful.
More than learning a technique, the day gave our team a deeper appreciation of the time, care, and intention behind this work. It also strengthened our hope that experiences like this can inspire future collaborations and create meaningful impact for artisan communities.
In many ways, it was a day about slow living—working with our hands, enjoying the rhythm of nature, and rediscovering the joy of making something thoughtfully and patiently.
And perhaps most importantly, it reaffirmed something we have always believed: that when creativity is rooted in purpose, the process itself becomes part of the story.
