Botanical Contact Printing Workshop
Multi-Day Residential Workshop
May 6 - 8, 2025
Instructor: Hilary Baker
Skill Level: 1-3, All levels welcome
Rooted in centuries-old natural dyeing traditions, botanical contact printing—also known as eco-printing—is a process that extracts tannins and pigments from plants and transfers them onto natural substrates such as fabric, paper, clay, or wood through steam.
This immersive workshop begins with a morning foraging expedition on the scenic campus of The Marlboro Studio School, where we will gather native, ruderal, and invasive plants known for their effectiveness in eco-printing. With our collected materials, we will move through a step-by-step demonstration, guiding you in creating your own unique botanical print. On the second day, we will explore additional techniques and experiment with natural dyes.
Throughout the workshop, you will learn all the essential steps and recipes for producing permanent, detailed botanical prints on both protein and cellulose fibers. Topics include identifying the most effective seasonal plants, proper pre-scouring and mordanting, the role of mordants and modifiers in color adjustments, bundling techniques, carrier blankets, and pre- and post-dyeing methods. Participants will also receive comprehensive instructions, recipes, and a reference list of suppliers, books, and online courses to support their continued exploration of natural color.
Tuition includes all instruction and materials. Day student tuition includes lunch for the duration of the session. Residential student tuition includes room & board, including all meals, for the duration of the workshop. The cost of meals included in tuition fees cannot be pro-rated.
Workshop classes are a chance to focus without the distractions of daily life, and to tap into the creative endeavors that sustain us all. The Marlboro Studio School welcomes students to stay on campus for the duration of their stay, and area residents are also invited to participate as commuting Day Students.
For additional details about fees & what to expect during a week-long workshop, please visit our workshop information page. Workshops are available to persons who are 21 years of age and older as of the date of their arrival on campus.
Click here to view our Terms & Conditions.
Skill levels: 1 - Beginner; 2 - Beginner/Intermediate; 3 - Intermediate; 4 - Intermediate/Advanced; 5 - Advanced
Multi-Day Residential Workshop
May 6 - 8, 2025
Instructor: Hilary Baker
Skill Level: 1-3, All levels welcome
Rooted in centuries-old natural dyeing traditions, botanical contact printing—also known as eco-printing—is a process that extracts tannins and pigments from plants and transfers them onto natural substrates such as fabric, paper, clay, or wood through steam.
This immersive workshop begins with a morning foraging expedition on the scenic campus of The Marlboro Studio School, where we will gather native, ruderal, and invasive plants known for their effectiveness in eco-printing. With our collected materials, we will move through a step-by-step demonstration, guiding you in creating your own unique botanical print. On the second day, we will explore additional techniques and experiment with natural dyes.
Throughout the workshop, you will learn all the essential steps and recipes for producing permanent, detailed botanical prints on both protein and cellulose fibers. Topics include identifying the most effective seasonal plants, proper pre-scouring and mordanting, the role of mordants and modifiers in color adjustments, bundling techniques, carrier blankets, and pre- and post-dyeing methods. Participants will also receive comprehensive instructions, recipes, and a reference list of suppliers, books, and online courses to support their continued exploration of natural color.
Tuition includes all instruction and materials. Day student tuition includes lunch for the duration of the session. Residential student tuition includes room & board, including all meals, for the duration of the workshop. The cost of meals included in tuition fees cannot be pro-rated.
Workshop classes are a chance to focus without the distractions of daily life, and to tap into the creative endeavors that sustain us all. The Marlboro Studio School welcomes students to stay on campus for the duration of their stay, and area residents are also invited to participate as commuting Day Students.
For additional details about fees & what to expect during a week-long workshop, please visit our workshop information page. Workshops are available to persons who are 21 years of age and older as of the date of their arrival on campus.
Click here to view our Terms & Conditions.
Skill levels: 1 - Beginner; 2 - Beginner/Intermediate; 3 - Intermediate; 4 - Intermediate/Advanced; 5 - Advanced
Multi-Day Residential Workshop
May 6 - 8, 2025
Instructor: Hilary Baker
Skill Level: 1-3, All levels welcome
Rooted in centuries-old natural dyeing traditions, botanical contact printing—also known as eco-printing—is a process that extracts tannins and pigments from plants and transfers them onto natural substrates such as fabric, paper, clay, or wood through steam.
This immersive workshop begins with a morning foraging expedition on the scenic campus of The Marlboro Studio School, where we will gather native, ruderal, and invasive plants known for their effectiveness in eco-printing. With our collected materials, we will move through a step-by-step demonstration, guiding you in creating your own unique botanical print. On the second day, we will explore additional techniques and experiment with natural dyes.
Throughout the workshop, you will learn all the essential steps and recipes for producing permanent, detailed botanical prints on both protein and cellulose fibers. Topics include identifying the most effective seasonal plants, proper pre-scouring and mordanting, the role of mordants and modifiers in color adjustments, bundling techniques, carrier blankets, and pre- and post-dyeing methods. Participants will also receive comprehensive instructions, recipes, and a reference list of suppliers, books, and online courses to support their continued exploration of natural color.
Tuition includes all instruction and materials. Day student tuition includes lunch for the duration of the session. Residential student tuition includes room & board, including all meals, for the duration of the workshop. The cost of meals included in tuition fees cannot be pro-rated.
Workshop classes are a chance to focus without the distractions of daily life, and to tap into the creative endeavors that sustain us all. The Marlboro Studio School welcomes students to stay on campus for the duration of their stay, and area residents are also invited to participate as commuting Day Students.
For additional details about fees & what to expect during a week-long workshop, please visit our workshop information page. Workshops are available to persons who are 21 years of age and older as of the date of their arrival on campus.
Click here to view our Terms & Conditions.
Skill levels: 1 - Beginner; 2 - Beginner/Intermediate; 3 - Intermediate; 4 - Intermediate/Advanced; 5 - Advanced
Instructor: Hilary Baker
About Hilary: My career began as an art student at the Corcoran School of Art, and a BFA in digital arts from the University of Massachusetts. In the years following, my work centered around animation, video art, and fine art digital printing combined with alternative photography, while working in both educational and commercial realms of the visual arts.
As a long time artist and gardener, five or so years ago I set out to make my own studio practice more environmentally sustainable with the firm goal to develop a much stronger connection to nature and awareness of the vulnerabilities that now exist within our natural environment. At the start of this journey, I stumbled across botanical contact printing and haven’t looked back since. I continue to hone my skills and gain knowledge of procuring color from nature through botanical printing, natural dyes and the making of my own plant-based pigments.