From Forest Floor to Fashion: How Eco-printing Could Put Tempursari Village of Malang Regency on the Map

TURNING SKILL INTO STRATEGY

  Some residents of Tempursari Village discover the creative and economic potential of eco-printing

The idea isn't new. Student-led KKN (Kuliah Kerja Nyata) program of the State University of Malang (UM)  has introduced the basics---scouring fabric with Turkey Red Oil, mordanting with alum or tunjung, and teaching steaming techniques with DIY equipment. The interest is there. The skills are forming. What's missing?

A business model. A platform. A bigger vision.

"There's no one running an eco-print business here yet," shares Ms. Nofita, a fashion design major from the State University of Malang and a member of the KKN student team assigned to Tempursari. "But the potential is huge. The village is still so lush and green---it's easy to find the kinds of plants you need for eco-printing. People are actually really excited about it, but most of them are still unfamiliar with the concept. They've never tried it before."

Imagine this: a Tempursari Ecoprint Collective, a village-run brand rooted in authenticity, marketed through storytelling, not slogans. The scarves don't just sell because they're pretty (though they are); they sell because they come with a story---a real one. One might say, "This leaf fell from a eucalyptus tree beside Ibu Sari's garden. She pressed it into cloth on a Friday morning after prayer, while her daughter sorted kenikir petals beside her."

This is the kind of narrative you can't fabricate in a factory. And guess what? People are buying this now. Not just products, but processes. Provenance! Purpose!

ECO-TOURISM, MINUS THE CLICH

What if Tempursari doesn't just sell ecoprint products, but experiences?

Eco-printing Finished Products

Think beyond the conventional touristic route. This isn't about turning villagers into tour guides or building a resort. It's about intimate, intentional travel---visitors coming in small groups to forage for leaves, learn from local artisans, cook simple village meals, and spend an afternoon steaming their own scarf in a bamboo kitchen.

Urban creatives, eco-conscious travelers, even bored professionals burnt out from PowerPoint decks---they're hungry for this kind of thing. And Tempursari can offer it, without sacrificing its identity. No staged performances. Just a living, working village doing what it does best, and inviting others to observe and participate with humility.