Finally, they settled on spent coffee grounds as the ideal ingredient for their screen printing ink. The grounds are mixed with vinegar and later strained. The brew is then cooked to let extra fluid evaporate until the mixture mimics the consistency of screen ink. After cooling down, the ink is ready to print. Sounds simple? “There are a few little secrets that we are leaving out simply to honor the countless hours it took for us to begin producing a viable product, however, that’s pretty much it”, says Mohr.
Mohr has worked for more than 30 years as a screen printer but his new project is – to a large extend – uncharted territory for him. “The techniques and ingredients we are using to execute print work are unlike anything I have been involved with or been aware of in my years as a screen printer”, he says. But over the years, he has been able to acquire a bag of tricks. “Although this approach is brand new I am able to put a lot of those old trade secrets to work.”