Contribution of Plant Transfer Printing to Sustainable Fashion

Abstract

Nowadays, there is a growing awareness of environmental protection, new findings in the field of sustainable chemistry, the use of biodegradable materials, and the increased use of eco-friendly textile products. For this reason, natural dyes are being used more and more frequently, giving rise to a new way of decorating textiles, namely, plant transfer printing, popularly known as “eco-printing”, in which the shape and/or pigment of a plant is transferred to the textile. In addition, the great interest of the young generation in the application and research into the use of natural dyes can create incentives for cultural and social sustainability through the preservation of national heritage. Plant transfer printing is a method that combines scientific technology and artistic design with corresponding benefits for the eco system. The very fact that the patterns are unique and unpredictable brings out the notion of artistic freedom. In the work, plant transfer printing was carried out on undyed cotton material and on material dyed with pomegranate peels, walnut leaves, coffee, and aleppo pine bark. The influence of the pH value and the capillarity of the fabric, as well as the treatment of the leaves with iron(II) sulphate heptahydrate solution, on the aesthetics of the print and the colour fastness during washing was investigated. Based on the optimised parameters and a sustainable fabric design, the clothing collection “Hamadryad”, inspired by Greek mythology, was realised.