Even in a world obsessed with machine prints, hand-printed articles have maintained their safe and sound place. Here, we are going to specifically focus on the history, beauty and intricacy of hand-block printing. In simple terms, block printing can be defined as using a finely carved piece of a wooden block to imprint a design on a piece of paper or fabric. Interestingly, block printing was widely used to print books and scriptures. The earliest block-printed book dates back to around 200 AD and was possibly done in China. However, today the beautiful process of block printing is largely associated with chiselling out designs and printing them on fabric. Multiple blocks can be used to print a single fabric. Some popular pieces include block print bed sheets, block print sarees and block print dupattas among others.
Process of Block Printing
As the name suggests, the first and the most important step lies in the creation/preparation of wooden blocks that are deftly carved out to imprint on fabric. For textile printing, mostly blocks made up of lime, sycamore, holly or pearwood are widely used. If someone wants a cheaper option then deal or pine can be considered. All the blocks are mostly 2-3 inches thick. The cheaper or low-quality woodblocks are generally warped together, i.e. multiple pieces are stuck together. Once the blocks are evened out, it goes for designing that can happen with the help of chisels, compasses, or knives.
After the pattern is traced/carved on woodblocks, the newly traced blocks are covered with damp cloths and the block cutter/carver begins carving out the wood. First, the heavier parts are targeted and the delicate work is left for the last. This is done to ensure that no harm is done to the woodblocks. Sometimes, the outlines of wooden blocks are filled in with felt to absorb the colour and give a better impression on the fabric. The finished block looks like a flat relief carving and the design stands out.
However, artisans find it difficult to cut out fine designs in wooden blocks and even when they successfully do so, the fine details wear off easily in a few imprints- making it not a very feasible option. To tackle this situation, strips of copper or brass are often used and this method is popularly known as ‘coopering’. The process of coppering can be also used to make moulds which can help in duplicating the entire blocks with ease. Apart from the engraved block, craftsmen need a printing table and colour sieve to carry out the process of block printing. The table is designed in a way to hold the fabric in a nicely stretched out position. The colour sieve is a tub or swimming tub that is half-filled with starch paste.
Once the whole apparatus is ready, the craftsman begins by rolling out the cloth and marking it with the help of a chalk. These marks indicate where the impressions of blocks would be imprinted. Most of the times, a single impression isn’t enough so the craftsmen have to be super careful when superimposing the second impression. The back of the block is often beaten with a wooden mallet to ensure a good impression. If a single pattern contains multiple colours then the fabric is printed first with a single colour, dried properly, re-wound and receive the second round of printing and it continues until all the colours are in place. Originally, natural dyes were used but with the popularity and cost-effectiveness of synthetic dyes, the latter has become more popular. Most common motifs that are used in block printing are trees, animals, fruits and geometrical designs.
Block Printing and India
While it is believed that block-printing designs on fabric began in China about 5000 years ago, the Indian subcontinent has always been on the top in terms of creating and exporting block-printed fabrics. Their expertise with naturally occurring plant dyes and metallic salts helped them in creating and printing beautiful motifs in stunning shades. In the present day, unarguably, India is the largest exporter of block-printed textiles. Amidst the dusty lanes of Rajasthan, stands a humble village- Bagru, which still follows an ancient societal structure which comes with inherited customs and roles. The village is populated with around 30,000 people with workshops and houses scattered around alike. In the block-printing workshops, you can find the Chippa community, a caste that has been into this craft since generations. The larger part of their day goes in stamping cotton sheets with deftly carved wooden blocks. They have been using the same process for more than 300 years.
Care
Caring for your block-printed sarees and block-printed bedsheets ain’t much of a task. After checking for colour spilling, you can machine wash your clothes in a gentle setting with a mild detergent. Avoid bleaching at all cost. These clothes can be air-dried in the shade as direct sunlight can lead to shrinkage. If your fabric is made up of silk then only dry cleaning is recommended.
Block Printed Bed Sheets at Craft Maestros
The feeling of sleeping in your bed after a tiring day is truly priceless. We at Craft Maestros strive to make all your little experiences beautiful and memorable. Our collection of block printed single bed sheets and block printed double bed sheets draws inspiration from the eternal spring. All the motifs used are related to flowers, trees and are a testament to how beautiful our nature is. These patterns are carefully printed using soothing colours and the final prints are a result of fine craftsmanship. Shop now for your favourite flowery prints with us in just a few clicks.
Block Printed Sarees and Dupattas at Craft Maestros
Unifying the beauty of flawless chanderi fabric and timeless craft of block printing is our collection of sarees and dupattas. These delicate pieces are quite versatile and can be adorned both in-office and on special occasions. Drape any of out block-printed sarees and pair it with ethnic or oxidised jewellery to complete the look. Our block-printed dupattas can be used as an accessory with your favourite solid kurtis. Grab your favourites now from our amazing artisanal collection.
