Living prints that return to nature
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In the hidden networks of soil ecosystems, mushrooms communicate through root-like structures called mycelium, exchanging not only chemical signals and information but also nutrients. In this journal entry, we celebrate how designer Peerasin Punxh has translated this natural system of communication into GROWinK—a CMYK inkjet technology that uses fungal pigments to create a fully bio-based printing solution.
Peerasin’s work has become a familiar and inspiring presence in our journal—his Heat Garlic project first captured our attention with its bold reimagining of material culture. Now, with GROWinK, he deepens that vision, once again demonstrating the transformative potential of biomimetic design. This latest innovation has been honoured with the Regeneration Award from Country & Town House at this year’s MullenLowe Global Awards.
While mushrooms have long been valued for their nutritional properties, we have also been using mycelium-based materials for packaging applications. Peerasin’s work reveals entirely new possibilities. Through careful cultivation and extraction processes, he has developed a complete CMYK printing system derived entirely from fungal pigments.
The colour palette arises naturally from different stages of fungal development.
Xylindein produces cyan hues during mycelium growth, coating substrates in vibrant blue-greens.
Carotenoids emerge as golden yellows during fruiting body formation.
Monascorubramine develops rich magentas through fermentation.
Melanin forms a deep black pigment during fruiting body development.
What truly sets GROWinK apart is how it responds to the environment. Dormant bacterial spores within the ink stay inactive during normal use but activate when exposed to humidity or landfill-like conditions. Once triggered, they break down synthetic substrates and convert them into nutrients, mirroring the behaviour of mycelium and our Vivomer packaging.
This approach embodies a holistic design philosophy that acknowledges the deep interconnections between systems. Just as mushrooms exist in symbiosis with their environments, GROWinK fosters a relationship between human creativity and ecological health, challenging the linear paradigms of industrial design.
The technology proposes a circular vision in which materials are seen as temporary states in ongoing cycles of transformation. Exhibition banners, festival installations, and printed media become ephemeral extensions of living systems—designed to return to the earth, enriched rather than depleted.
By embedding ecological intelligence into the very materials that communicate our ideas, GROWinK elevates visual communication beyond surface-level aesthetics to express a deeper environmental consciousness. This innovation is a powerful expression of our commitment to regenerative design and positive impact.
References: Peerasin Punxh
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