Block Printing – Tradition of Beauty

During our visit to Jaipur, we got to learn about the art of block printing. Block printing by hand on textiles is a technique that involves dipping carved wooden blocks in ink and pressing it on the clothes to create beautiful designs. The clothes are then used for decoration, dailywear, and accessories.

The fabric that has to be printed is kept in water for three days, so that the cloth becomes smooth and clean. If printing has to be done on coloured clothes, then the clothes are dyed before printing. Then the excess dye is removed by washing the clothes in water.

The cloth to be block printed is tightened using steel clips. Then, the printing starts. The dye for block printing is made by using tobacco flowers and aloxin powder. Then the blocks are dipped in the dye and stamped on the cloth for a good impression. The colours are fixed by dipping the cloth in a copper boiler filled with hot water. After colour fixing, the cloth is steamed. Then finally, the clothes are dried in the sun. The block printing art can change a normal fabric into a beautiful cloth. The wooden block designs are hand carved and unique.

In conclusion, we learnt a lot including how block printing is done on a fabric and how multiple coloured dyes can be used on one block during printing. Block printing is a traditional primary tool used for textile printing. We admired our age old crafts and how it produces such beautiful results. Block printed clothes stand out for their ethnic and unique look.

Writen By Aarohan, Czar, Kshitij, Sarvagya & Ziyan (The Shriram Universal School, Greater Noida).

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