Business Talk: The Art of Block Printing in India – Das Indische Traditionshandwerk des „Block Printings“

Block printing is a form of dying and coloring a fabric using wooden blocks. India is one of the largest manufacturers and exporters of block printed fabric in the world. Block printing craftsmen use wooden or metal blocks to create beautiful designs. Hand block printing is a craft that is handed down through generations. Just now it is in the forefront of the fashion scene today and the ancient craft has seen a major revival over the last two decades.

Das traditionelle, indische „Block-Printing“ ist eine Drucktechnik, bei der verschiedenste Motive mit geschnitzte Holzplatten oder -blöcken auf Textilien gedruckt werden. Indien ist einer der größten Hersteller und Exporteure weltweit von solchen handbedruckten bedruckten Textilien. Mittels mehrere Holz- oder auch Metallblöcke werden die Designs, auch mehrfarbig in Handarbeit hergestellt. „Block-Printig“ ist ein Handwerk, das von Generation zu Generation weitergegeben wird. Momentan genießt diese Drucktechnik weltweit wieder große Begeisterung und das alte Handwerk hat in den letzten Jahren einen großen Aufschwung erlebt.

Block printing craftsmen use wooden or metal blocks to create beautiful designs.

India has been renowned for its printed and dyed cotton cloth since the 12th century and the creative processes flourished as the fabric received royal patronage. Though the earliest records mention the printing centers in the south, the craft seems to have been prevalent all over India. From Gujarat, the art of block printing spread to Rajasthan. Here colorful prints of birds, animals, human figures, gods and goddesses are popular. 

My daughter attended a block printing workshop at Channi  Carpets &Textiles in Jaipur, Rajasthan.

The fabric to be printed is first washed free of starch. If tie-dyeing is required, this is done before the printing process. Incase fabric is dyed, it is washed thereafter, to remove excess color. It is dried in the sun. Then the fabric is then stretched over the printing table and secured with pins. See very first picture above.

Color is mixed separately and kept ready. So are the blocks. The blocks are made of teak wood and hand-carved. They are soaked in oil for 10-15 days to soften the timber.

The color are made of special natural pigments and each is kept in a tray which rests on another tray that contains a liquid made of glue and pigment binder. This gives the color a soft base and permits even spreading of color on the block.

When printing begins, the color is first evened out in the tray. Then the block is dipped in the outline color.

When the block is applied to the fabric, it is slammed hard with the fist on the back of the handle so that a good impression may register. 



A point on the block serves as a guide for the repeat impression, so that the whole effect is continuous and not disjoined. The outline printer is usually an expert because he is the one who leads the process.

Once the fabric is printed, it is dried in the sun. It is then rolled in newspaper to prevent the fabric layers from sticking to each other. The fabric is then steamed.
Thereafter, it is washed in water and dried in the sun. Ironing is the last stage.

It is only after the fabric is processed with an acid wash that the final color is established.

Block printing has become so popular again because the simple process can create such sensational prints in rich and vibrant colors.

blocks for a multiple color design

If it is a multiple color design the second printer dips his block in color again using the point or guide for a perfect registration to fill in the color. The third color if existent follows likewise. Skill is necessary for good printing since the colors need to dovetail into the design to make it a composite whole. A single color design can be executed faster, a double color takes more time and multiple color design would mean additional labor and more color consumption.

Thanks again  to Channi Carpets & Textiles for this wonderful workshop!

www.channicarpets.com