block printing process

You must have seen textiles with block printed designs, but have you ever thought about that how these beautiful classic motifs are derived? The answer to this question lies here. This content below will further give you information about the block printing process which will give you a clear idea about how is block printing done.

Textiles with block printing are adored by people not only in India but also outside India. It was originated in India many centuries ago. It gained lot of popularity due to its beautiful designs. This was considered to be the hereditary art which was passed from one generation to another generation. The designs are made using crafted blocks with classic motifs and natural dyes. In India it was mainly flourished in the main centers of Gujarat and Rajasthan. Places like Sanganer, Ahmedabad, Bagru, Pethapur and Farukhabad were the main areas where block printing was done.

Block printing process starts with the preparation of the fabric or cloth on which printing is to be done. The cloth is soaked in a mixture of soda ash, sesame oil along with water for an overnight. Then the cloth is left for drying for the whole day. This is known as the bleaching process which is performed regular basis every week. This process is performed so as the cotton fabric can absorb more color in it self. It enables more soaking ability to the fabric while the dyeing process is carried. After this process the cloth is further kept in tannin solution for soaking. This gives fabric a yellowish tinge.

Once the fabric is over with bleaching and yellowing process then the actual block printing process starts; Firstly, the black ink is made which is used to form the outline. Black ink is made by mixing scrap iron of horseshoes which are old, sticky molasses along with water and glue. The prepared ink is then used to create outline of the design by crafted wooden block.

Secondly, the color filling procedures starts. The dye is filled in the design by the wooden block to areas where it is needed in the design. The design is completed when the required colors are filled in the design by the crafted block.

Thirdly, which is the last step, involves removal of glue which was added to adhere the color to the fabric. It is simply removed by washing the fabric carefully without any damage to design. The washing and drying process of fabric mainly takes place at the riverbanks.

In the present times, there has been threat to these traditional forms of craft because new forms with modern technology have been evolved for printing. Block printing process requires efforts of hand block printers and thus each design created by them is unique in itself. Block printing designs are used by people for their homes and furnishings to give them an authentic look. It is crucial for our coming generation to preserve this hereditary art and carry it forward as the symbol of beautiful and elegant craft.

Resource Box: Block printing process is not much complicated procedure rather it is a unique way of designing by which extravagant designs can be created.