The project delves into the intersection of printing technologies and traditional organic ink-making, exploring an interconnected approach with more-than-human life. Its primary objective is to raise awareness by bridging historical craft knowledge with contemporary digital advancements, seeking circular solutions to ecological challenges posed by synthetic inks.

The foundation of the experiment lies in the collaborative process with plants and living organisms to create sustainable organic inks. Through extensive research and experiments, the project examines the compatibility of bio-based ink compositions with technologies such as ink-jet printers and an open-source plotter. The outcomes, materials, and methodologies are meticulously documented in a series of prints and an accessible online ink archive.

Visit the open-source Ink Archive here: theinkproject.nl

Made possible thanks to the support of The Creative Industries Fund NL and in partnership with BlueCity Lab.

With the further collaboration and support of PhD Jos Poolman and Hogeschool Rotterdam, Ink Project Minor Group biochemistry students Hogeschool Rotterdam, Laboratorium Ghent and FormLab Ghent (KASK / School of Arts Ghent), Laura Freixas (Organic Matters), The Garden of Colors and its community, Nick van Biezen (Bio-aNAlytiX van Biezen), photographer Dirk-Jan Visser, Foga Gum (Fairtrade Gum Arabic), Loes Schepens (Paper Art & Design), Algalif (microalgae cultivation), AminoSwiss (Natural Astaxanthin)
Alga.farm (Spirulina circular cultivation).

Photography credits: 1) Greta Desirèee Facchinato; 2-3) Raquel Sánchez Gálvez; 4-5-6) Greta Desirèe Facchinato; 7) Dirk-Jan Visser; 8) Greta Desirèe Facchinato