The Ink Project
Basic information
Project Title
The Ink Project
Full project title
The Ink Project – Between Craft and Technology
Category
Shaping a circular industrial ecosystem and supporting life-cycle thinking
Project Description
A research to explore the potential crossover between printing technologies and the tradition of making ink with organic materials, in interconnection with more-than-human life.
Geographical Scope
National
Project Region
Netherlands
Urban or rural issues
It addresses urban-rural linkages
Physical or other transformations
It refers to other types of transformations (soft investment)
EU Programme or fund
No
Description of the project
Summary
The Ink Project - Between Craft and Technology, is an innovative research delving into the convergence of ecology, craftsmanship, and contemporary printing techniques. Its primary aim is to unearth prospects that merge forgotten knowledge with digital advancements, investigating circular solutions to the ecological issues arising from synthetic ink use in the printing industry.
Presently, a majority of commercially available printing inks contain hazardous chemicals, refined oil, and heavy metals, posing significant risks to both human health and the environment. Synthetic dyes, binders, and preservatives in these inks contribute substantially to water and soil pollution. Despite the environmental and health constraints posed by the industrial manufacturing of synthetic ink, the modern printing industry still lacks sufficient alternative options.
Through a collaborative process with plants and living organisms, sustainable organic inks are achievable. During the research period, extensive studies and experiments were undertaken to scrutinize the behaviour of bio-based ink compositions with selected technologies, among which ink-jet printers and a pen plotter. The findings and methodologies are meticulously chronicled in an online and open-source ink archive. The overarching objective is to foster awareness and encourage the dissemination of knowledge to bolster the progression of ecological and regenerative printing practices.
Since the project Color is Alive, in 2021, Greta Desirèe Facchinato has been researching and sharing knowledge about ink-making with organic matter for screen printing, through an interconnection with the environment. In The Ink Project, she proposes the perspective of ink as an organic, living substance applied to digital printing. By incorporating biological elements, she introduces the unpredictable influence of natural cycles, inviting contemplation on a symbiotic relationship between printing technologies and more-than-human life.
Presently, a majority of commercially available printing inks contain hazardous chemicals, refined oil, and heavy metals, posing significant risks to both human health and the environment. Synthetic dyes, binders, and preservatives in these inks contribute substantially to water and soil pollution. Despite the environmental and health constraints posed by the industrial manufacturing of synthetic ink, the modern printing industry still lacks sufficient alternative options.
Through a collaborative process with plants and living organisms, sustainable organic inks are achievable. During the research period, extensive studies and experiments were undertaken to scrutinize the behaviour of bio-based ink compositions with selected technologies, among which ink-jet printers and a pen plotter. The findings and methodologies are meticulously chronicled in an online and open-source ink archive. The overarching objective is to foster awareness and encourage the dissemination of knowledge to bolster the progression of ecological and regenerative printing practices.
Since the project Color is Alive, in 2021, Greta Desirèe Facchinato has been researching and sharing knowledge about ink-making with organic matter for screen printing, through an interconnection with the environment. In The Ink Project, she proposes the perspective of ink as an organic, living substance applied to digital printing. By incorporating biological elements, she introduces the unpredictable influence of natural cycles, inviting contemplation on a symbiotic relationship between printing technologies and more-than-human life.
Key objectives for sustainability
The project prioritizes biodiversity and interconnection with more than human life in order to contribute to a holistic and ecological ink industry. By safeguarding the soil and aquatic life and its various inhabitants through the promotion of crafted bio-based inks, the project aims to help maintain ecological balance, resilience, and the continued well-being of both local communities and the planet as a whole.
The primary goal was to investigate a bridge between the craft of making inks with organic matter and digital printing technologies. To achieve this, the project focused on researching and identifying suitable plant materials for CMYK ink formulation, ensuring a balance between resource availability and ecological resilience. Collaborative efforts were made to establish sustainable supply chains, engaging local communities, sustainable companies, scientists and farmers in responsible cultivation practices. The reduction of hazardous chemicals, refined oil, and heavy metals commonly found in conventional inks was a pivotal target. Through rigorous experimentation and technological integration, the project investigated the application of bio-based ink compositions with various printing technologies, such as ink-jet printers and a pen plotter. The project has met its sustainability goals through research and aims to become a catalyst for positive change in the broader context of ink-making and environmental responsibility.
The primary goal was to investigate a bridge between the craft of making inks with organic matter and digital printing technologies. To achieve this, the project focused on researching and identifying suitable plant materials for CMYK ink formulation, ensuring a balance between resource availability and ecological resilience. Collaborative efforts were made to establish sustainable supply chains, engaging local communities, sustainable companies, scientists and farmers in responsible cultivation practices. The reduction of hazardous chemicals, refined oil, and heavy metals commonly found in conventional inks was a pivotal target. Through rigorous experimentation and technological integration, the project investigated the application of bio-based ink compositions with various printing technologies, such as ink-jet printers and a pen plotter. The project has met its sustainability goals through research and aims to become a catalyst for positive change in the broader context of ink-making and environmental responsibility.
Key objectives for aesthetics and quality
The Ink Project employs an open-source approach to inherit culture and industry as valuable assets, aiming to share knowledge and raise awareness about the research subject. This accumulated knowledge is intended for future applications and serves as a resource for professionals or individuals seeking to expand their understanding of inks made with plants and microorganisms. Utilizing publication techniques through digitization the project and its archive preserve and distribute cultural assets for the benefit of upcoming generations.
The key element behind the design aesthetic and quality experience was the choice of the CMYK cataloguing system for the creation of the online ink archive. CMYK stands for Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Key (Black), which combined create a spectrum of shades in the world of printing and is the cornerstone of modern digital colour printing. The bio-based inks are created and archived in a CMYK colour palette that appeals visually but also carries a deeper connection to cultural and ecological narratives - by sharing the identity of the plants and living organisms, mentioning their names and origins. Collaborative efforts were directed towards integrating diverse organic materials, each imbued with unique hues and properties, fostering a new and ecological CMYK colour spectrum. Contributing to the aesthetic is the photographic documentation of the research which was made in collaboration with artist Raquel Sanchez Galvez and documentary photographer Dirk-Jan Visser in order to provide insight, awareness, and depth.
The key element behind the design aesthetic and quality experience was the choice of the CMYK cataloguing system for the creation of the online ink archive. CMYK stands for Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Key (Black), which combined create a spectrum of shades in the world of printing and is the cornerstone of modern digital colour printing. The bio-based inks are created and archived in a CMYK colour palette that appeals visually but also carries a deeper connection to cultural and ecological narratives - by sharing the identity of the plants and living organisms, mentioning their names and origins. Collaborative efforts were directed towards integrating diverse organic materials, each imbued with unique hues and properties, fostering a new and ecological CMYK colour spectrum. Contributing to the aesthetic is the photographic documentation of the research which was made in collaboration with artist Raquel Sanchez Galvez and documentary photographer Dirk-Jan Visser in order to provide insight, awareness, and depth.
Key objectives for inclusion
The project fosters inclusivity across environmental, social, economic, and cultural dimensions. Firstly, the initiative seeks to find a sustainable and ecological alternative to conventional inks by collaborating with the knowledge of plants and living organisms. This not only promotes environmental inclusivity by reducing the carbon footprint associated with ink production but also aligns with the principles of a circular economy. Secondly, the project involves diverse stakeholders, including Dutch or European communities, researchers and circular entrepreneurs, in the cultivation and sourcing of bio-based materials. By establishing fair trade practices and providing opportunities for small-scale producers, the project endeavours to create an inclusive supply chain that empowers and shares awareness between different society models.
Furthermore, the development of bio-based inks presents an opportunity to engage artists and designers from diverse backgrounds, encouraging a more inclusive representation of perspectives and cultural influences in the creative industry. Lastly, disseminating knowledge through accessible tools and educational programs contributes to inclusivity by promoting awareness and understanding among a wide audience, thus fostering a sense of shared responsibility for sustainable practices in the broader community. Greta Desirèe Facchinato believes that imparting skills through interdisciplinary educational methods plays a critical role in ensuring the continuity of the connections between industries and culture that are intrinsic to an ecosystem and its cultural identity.
Furthermore, the development of bio-based inks presents an opportunity to engage artists and designers from diverse backgrounds, encouraging a more inclusive representation of perspectives and cultural influences in the creative industry. Lastly, disseminating knowledge through accessible tools and educational programs contributes to inclusivity by promoting awareness and understanding among a wide audience, thus fostering a sense of shared responsibility for sustainable practices in the broader community. Greta Desirèe Facchinato believes that imparting skills through interdisciplinary educational methods plays a critical role in ensuring the continuity of the connections between industries and culture that are intrinsic to an ecosystem and its cultural identity.
How Citizens benefit
Citizens and civil society are integral to the success of the project, actively engaging through diverse channels such as social media, workshops, and trans-disciplinary collaboration with Rotterdam circular hub BlueCity, the biochemistry department of Hogeschool Rotterdam and KASK/ School of Arts Ghent, and other professionals. The project's initiation involved leveraging social media platforms to disseminate information about its objectives and garner community interest. Through ink-making workshops and gardening groups facilitated by the collaboration with the local farm Pluk Den Haag, several citizens have been learning about local plant resources and ink-crafting practices in interconnection with more-than-human life. The collaboration with universities allowed for a trans-disciplinary approach, bringing together diverse expertise to refine the project's strategies and methodologies.
As the project evolves, active participation from artists and designers, facilitated by the trans-disciplinary collaboration, infuses the inks with a cultural and artistic significance unique to the community. Social media, articles, and the online archive serve as a dynamic platform for ongoing engagement, allowing citizens to stay informed and involved in the project's progression.
This multi-faceted involvement through social media, workshops, and trans-disciplinary collaboration had a profound impact on the project. It not only ensures that the initiative remained attuned to local needs but also facilitates a broad and inclusive distribution of project benefits. The collaborative approach, especially with professionals and a local circular hub, strengthened the project's foundations, fostering innovation and refining sustainable practices. The outcomes, including the study of environmentally friendly inks and the establishment of ethical supply chains, directly aims to benefit citizens and contribute to the economic empowerment of local communities.
As the project evolves, active participation from artists and designers, facilitated by the trans-disciplinary collaboration, infuses the inks with a cultural and artistic significance unique to the community. Social media, articles, and the online archive serve as a dynamic platform for ongoing engagement, allowing citizens to stay informed and involved in the project's progression.
This multi-faceted involvement through social media, workshops, and trans-disciplinary collaboration had a profound impact on the project. It not only ensures that the initiative remained attuned to local needs but also facilitates a broad and inclusive distribution of project benefits. The collaborative approach, especially with professionals and a local circular hub, strengthened the project's foundations, fostering innovation and refining sustainable practices. The outcomes, including the study of environmentally friendly inks and the establishment of ethical supply chains, directly aims to benefit citizens and contribute to the economic empowerment of local communities.
Physical or other transformations
It refers to other types of transformations (soft investment)
Innovative character
The project stands as a revolutionary departure from mainstream actions in the commercial ink for digital printing realm. While conventional digital inks predominantly rely on synthetic compounds, often laden with harmful chemicals, this initiative redefines the landscape by infusing the age-old craft of ink-making with organic matter into the realm of digital printing. In contrast to mainstream practices that often prioritize speed and volume over environmental considerations, this project emphasizes a symbiotic relationship between printing technologies and more-than-human life. By incorporating biological elements sourced from plants and microorganisms into the ink compositions, it introduces an unpredictable, organic influence that transcends the predictability of conventional digital inks. This pioneering approach not only addresses environmental and health concerns associated with mainstream digital inks but also introduces a new aesthetic and cultural dimension to the digital printing experience. In doing so, the project challenges that digital printing can harmonize with the natural world, creating a new narrative that places sustainability, craftsmanship, and cultural awareness at the forefront of innovation in the printing field.
Disciplines/knowledge reflected
The design and implementation of The Ink Project were enriched by a diverse array of disciplines and knowledge fields, each contributing unique insights and expertise. Greta Desireè Facchinato's expertise in sustainable ink-making played a pivotal role in ensuring the selection of plants and living organisms aligned with ecological resilience. The photographers captured the entire process, documenting the journey from plant to ink crafting, and creating a visual narrative. Circular economy specialists and entrepreneurs contributed insights into creating a closed-loop system, minimizing waste and maximizing resource efficiency. Collaboration with experts in sustainable cultivation of fungi, plants, and algae was fundamental to understanding the intricacies of these biological elements and their potential for ink composition. Chemistry experts played a key role in formulating bio-based inks with attention to both vibrancy and environmental impact, understanding from a composition level the ink industry standards while minimizing hazardous components. The integration of open-source printing technology specialists ensured compatibility with modern printing methods, fostering innovation and accessibility. Bio-design experts contributed a holistic perspective, exploring how living organisms could be incorporated into the design process. The diverse perspectives ensured a comprehensive approach that considered ecological impact, technological advancement, and creative expression.
Methodology used
In The Ink Project, Greta Desirèe Facchinato combined the approach of artistic research and bio-design in order to research the potential crossover of crafting bio-based ink and digital printing. The experiment looked into finding innovative solutions to implement the future of ecological printing, by fostering a symbiotic relationship with more-than-human life and interdisciplinary collaboration with other professionals.
How stakeholders are engaged
Several stakeholders were involved in the project. To mention some of them:
- The Creative Industries Fund NL, a Dutch national cultural fund for design assignments for the future in design, architecture and digital culture. The fund supported the project through the Experiment Grant for a period of 10 months.
- BlueCity Lab in Rotterdam (NL), is a model city for the circular and blue economy and home to 55 entrepreneurs. In the lab, Greta Desirèe Facchinato could formulate, research and apply her inks to printing technology. The hub also acted as an incubator, supporting the exchange and collaboration with other entrepreneurs working in the field of the circular economy.
- Dirk Jan Visser, documentary photographer/researcher based in Den Haag (NL) whose practice contributes to a dialogue about ecological humanities, collaborated to photograph the plants included in the ink archive.
- The Garden of Colors at Pluk Den Haag (NL), a volunteer-based local initiative in Den Haag. Here Greta Desirèe Facchinato organized workshops and gardening sessions, growing tinctorial plants with an educational, regenerative and ecological approach.
- PhD Jos Polman, researcher and chemistry teacher at Hogeschool Rotterdam (NL), supported the research and formulation of bio-based inks for digital printing.
- Artist Raquel Sanchez Galvez based in Den Haag (NL), collaborated to document through photography the research process.
- Nick van Biezen - Bio-aNAlytiX van Biezen, biotechnology expert with the base at BlueCity Lab (NL), supported the experiment to research the possibility of pigments derived from fungi cultivation.
- Laboratorium and FormLab, experimental labs for art/design, biotechnology and printing at KASK / School of Arts Ghent (BE). Both labs collaborated on the project providing microalgae pigments and an open-source pen plotter to experiment with the bio-based inks.
- The Creative Industries Fund NL, a Dutch national cultural fund for design assignments for the future in design, architecture and digital culture. The fund supported the project through the Experiment Grant for a period of 10 months.
- BlueCity Lab in Rotterdam (NL), is a model city for the circular and blue economy and home to 55 entrepreneurs. In the lab, Greta Desirèe Facchinato could formulate, research and apply her inks to printing technology. The hub also acted as an incubator, supporting the exchange and collaboration with other entrepreneurs working in the field of the circular economy.
- Dirk Jan Visser, documentary photographer/researcher based in Den Haag (NL) whose practice contributes to a dialogue about ecological humanities, collaborated to photograph the plants included in the ink archive.
- The Garden of Colors at Pluk Den Haag (NL), a volunteer-based local initiative in Den Haag. Here Greta Desirèe Facchinato organized workshops and gardening sessions, growing tinctorial plants with an educational, regenerative and ecological approach.
- PhD Jos Polman, researcher and chemistry teacher at Hogeschool Rotterdam (NL), supported the research and formulation of bio-based inks for digital printing.
- Artist Raquel Sanchez Galvez based in Den Haag (NL), collaborated to document through photography the research process.
- Nick van Biezen - Bio-aNAlytiX van Biezen, biotechnology expert with the base at BlueCity Lab (NL), supported the experiment to research the possibility of pigments derived from fungi cultivation.
- Laboratorium and FormLab, experimental labs for art/design, biotechnology and printing at KASK / School of Arts Ghent (BE). Both labs collaborated on the project providing microalgae pigments and an open-source pen plotter to experiment with the bio-based inks.
Global challenges
One key issue the project addresses is environmental sustainability. By opting for bio-based inks over conventional synthetic counterparts, the project challenges the global environmental impact associated with the printing industry. This shift reduces reliance on hazardous chemicals and contributes to a circular economy by fostering collaboration with more-than-human life. By infusing the inks with elements of local craftsmanship, organic matter, and cultural significance, it aims to preserve diverse cultural narratives and questions the dominance of standardized digital printing practices. Moreover, the emphasis on inclusivity and awareness aims to create a model for bio-design and circular practices. In this way, the project fosters localized solutions that resonate globally, addressing environmental, cultural, economic and social challenges at the intersection of ecology, craftsmanship, and contemporary printing techniques.
Learning transferred to other parties
The project's methodology, which involves collaborative engagement with more than human life, local communities, farmers, and artists, provides a blueprint for fostering inclusive participation and community empowerment. The sustainable cultivation practices employed, guided by experts in ecology and circularity, offer a transferable model for responsibly sourcing organic materials, ensuring environmental resilience. The open-source printing technology integrated into the project serves as a versatile tool that can be adapted to various digital printing environments, fostering accessibility and scalability. Furthermore, the documented learnings and formulations of bio-based inks can be consulted openly, facilitating knowledge transfer and encouraging the adoption of ecological alternatives in different cultural and geographical contexts.
Keywords
Bio Based Ink
Ecological Printing
Interconnection
Awareness
Craft and Technology
