Dr. Isma Kurniatanty, S.Si., M.Si., a faculty member from the Biology Program at UIN Sunan Kalijaga, collaborated with Dr. Esti Wahyu Widowati, M.Si., a Chemistry faculty member, to conduct an ecoprint batik training workshop at Sanata Dharma University (USD). The event took place at the Ecology Biology Laboratory on the second floor of Campus III, USD, in Paingan, Maguwoharjo. Participants included Biology Education professors from USD.

As the name suggests, eco-print combines “eco” (referring to the natural environment) and “print.” In eco-print, leaves are directly imprinted onto fabric and then boiled, similar to the traditional batik-making process. Hence, it is often referred to as “ecoprint batik.” The resulting batik motifs from eco-print are more contemporary compared to hand-drawn or stamped batik. Notably, ecoprint avoids the use of canting tools and wax, relying instead on natural materials found in the environment.

Because ecoprint utilizes natural materials, the resulting motifs are unique, even when using leaves from the same plant species. The colors and patterns imprinted on the fabric exhibit authentic characteristics influenced by the geographical origin of the plant material.