Hapazome
Natural Plant Printing on Fabric
Hapazome is the Japanese art of transferring plant pigments directly onto fabric by gently hammering them into the fibres.
We used blank cotton totes from Spotlight, asked our community if anyone had spare leaves and flowers to share, then spent the afternoon outside pressing colour into cloth.
You’ll Need
• Blank cotton tote bags or natural fibre fabric
• Fresh leaves and flowers
• Baking paper
• A firm surface such as a wooden board or concrete
• Mallets or small hammers
• Optional: cardboard to slide inside the bag to stop bleed-through
How To
Slide cardboard inside your tote so the pigment doesn’t transfer to the back.
Lay your leaves and flowers flat on the fabric. Play with patterns, layering, symmetry or complete randomness.
Place baking paper over the top. We found this made a huge difference. It stops tearing and keeps everything in place while you hammer.
Gently tap at first, then press more firmly with the mallet. You’ll start to see colour coming through.
Peel back the plant material and admire the print.
Leave to dry fully before using.
Optional: Once dry, iron the fabric with baking paper over the design to help set the pigment.
What It Encourages
This activity supports:
• Creative thinking
• Fine motor coordination
• Focus and patience
• Pattern recognition
• Sensory exploration
• Connection to nature
• Collaboration when working in pairs or groups
• Appreciation for natural pigments and seasonal changes
It also invites children to slow down and really look at the details of leaves and petals.
A Last Note
Use only what you need and leave plenty behind when collecting plant material. Avoid protected plants and steer clear of roadside picking where leaves may be contaminated.
Some plants can stain skin or cause irritation, so it’s always wise to supervise and wash hands afterwards.
And remember, the beauty of hapazome is in its imperfection. Smudges and uneven prints are part of the story.
