Hand Block Print Techniques

 

Hand Block Print

In the process of Hand Block printing, color is applied in definite patterns and designs. To resist color from fading while washing or applying friction, fabrics that are properly printed are color bonded with the fiber. For making various designs on the fabric, wooden blocks, stencils, stone blocks, etc can be used to place colors on fabric during printing. Beautifully carved designs that one sees printed on fabric are not designed with a brush; they are carved into wooden blocks. Fine prints of birds, leaves, flowers, animals, and several abstract designs; give an interesting face to a simple fabric. Fabric can be printed in several ways. There are various famous block printing techniques. Some of them are mentioned below.

1.  Indigo Print

In Indigo Block prints, Indigo plant bundles are soaked first, which helps to extract the beautiful vibrant dye. The white fabric is then soaked in water with the indigo dye and laid out in the sun to absorb the color. Hand-carved wooden blocks with beautiful designs are then used to thump prints on the dyed fabric. Indigo hand block prints look marvelous on a variety of different fabrics like cotton fabric, linen, khadi, etc. They are a popular choice of prints for Indian ethnic wear such as kurtas, salwar kameez, sarees and skirts, and various other styles.

2. Bagru Print

Bagru print is a traditional art practiced by people of Bagru for more than 300 years now where a textile/fabric is laid down on a table and a wooden carved block is dipped in Natural dyes and thumped on it which leaves the imprints. It's all handmade, the wooden carves designs, the natural dyes. So it's a completely eco-friendly process and it is exotic. Afterward, the fabric is laid out to dry outside. They are then washed again and boiled and at last rinsed to induce the ultimate product. Washing, hard dyeing, drying, and other parts form the core of the whole process. The chemical properties of the water in Bagru are used to the maximum benefit to obtain the most unique shades.

 

3. Dabu Print

Dabu Print process is a beautiful and amazing hand block printing technique. It is a slow process but a complicated one. It is said that the Dabu print technique was developed in China and then eventually adopted by the talented artisans of India and especially Rajasthan. It is a mud-resist type of printing technique where a lot of skilled labor technique is required. The artisans with their beautiful motifs generally make classic and traditional prints that are found very authentic. The technique requires mud, water, and raw materials. The textile should be air-dried as to avoid ruining bright colors.