Indian hand block print designs are one of the earliest design techniques. These techniques are used for imprinting an image on paper or fabric using a carved piece of wood or carved block of linoleum as available in the market today. It is a stamp that artisans use to press ink onto paper, cloth, or other materials. Wood, linoleum, rubber, and various other materials can be used for block printing on silk, with wood being the oldest. It is said to be the oldest printmaking technology because proof of its existence dates back to the 15th century BC. It originated in India, China, and Japan and is now practiced all across the world. In this block printing blog, we will discover many interesting facts about this art. So, without any delay, let’s get started.
Difference Between Block Print and Ikat
Ikat (which translates to “bind”) is a dyeing process that originated in Indonesia. Ikat is used for embellishing textiles that prevent dyeing on the yarns before coloring the fabric. This process can be performed multiple times to create multicolored, intricate designs.
The technique of pattern printing with incised wooden blocks is called block printing. It is the traditional, simplest, and dawdled of all fabric printing processes. The hand block printing technique is a time-taking procedure. However, it can generate truly aesthetic effects, a few of which are tough to achieve by other means.
Consequently, the main difference between block print and Ikat is the techniques and processes used in each.
Steps Used in Block Printing
The patterns printed with the block printing technique are way more prominent than other kinds of printmaking. As these wooden blocks are incised manually, a significant amount of fineness is kept in mind when carving the blocks. This technique is also known as “relief printing” because the ink marks an increased texture on the paper. Generally, performed by hand, the ink stays on the facet putting on an escalated surface to the paper. Scrupulous and time-concentrated, it is a fast-diminishing profession.
Motifs Whittled for Block Printing
In the block printing process, many different kinds of motifs are carved on wood to perform printing.
Step 1 – To Sketch The Design
As a very first step, the design is made. These beautiful designs are generally inspired by the beliefs, nature, and customs of the region. At times, they take the shape of animals and plants.
Here, the artisans delineate motifs very carefully. One requires to be very precise and careful in doing this. It is essential to inverse the print if you are printing a text. If the printing image is the inverse of block printing, artisans have to be very careful and specific.
Step 2 – Carve Design On Block
The second step takes a lot of time, such as from one hour to a few weeks or months, to engrave a block based on the detailing and size of the image.
Motifs Carved On Wooden Blocks
Artisans use various kinds of tools for carving wooden blocks. This step or process takes a lot of time and self-restraint. After the block gets engraved, it is provided a clean appearance by giving a finishing touch at the corners.
Step 3 – Color Preferences
Artisans make use of the best possible color to provide an incredible impact. The preeminent oil-based inks offer the best image prints and thorough coverage on paper or textiles.
Step 4 – Dying Of Fabric
The textile is then dyed in the prop color and placed pleasingly on the workbench. Then, the same is fastened appealingly from all the edges. This again requires to be done carefully, as a single undesired movement can result in smears or variable image printing, which means we need to begin again from scratch. Persistence is the name of the game. Using annatto seeds for yellow, pomegranate peel for green, seval Kodi for red, all vibrant colors that are being used are homemade. Even the raw substances are obtained merely by sustainable farming techniques.
Step 5 – Transferring the Design on Fabric
The chosen colors then cruised onto the block, ensuring an even and thin layer to be traced onto the block. After the inking process gets completed, the block is then traced down onto the fabric or paper. This needs a specific amount of force, usually achieved either by pressing the stamp with the aid of a hammer or by hand. If the print design includes several colors, then each is pressed separately with its specific block.
Step 6 – Drying Of Fabric
After drying the dye, the finished block print textile is washed off in a waterway or local river. The block printing technique completes by hanging the material to dry in the sun.
Lovely hand block print needs skill and practice in abundance in order to maintain uniformity and neat block printing patterns. The minor changes in the vibrant and meaningful motifs, handmade and block printing methods of Indian block print textile provide it an undeniably pleasant and unique charm.
History Of Block Printing On Textile
The history of Block Printing on fabric art started in India, China, and Japan. Many artisan communities in these countries practice this art even today, and each one of them has its particular way of doing this.
Like every technique, hand block printing on fabric is also done using a cloth primarily because it is labor-intensive and time-consuming. Cotton is shredded by hand and cleaned with soda ash before being washed and thrashed repeatedly to traditionally remove natural oils and scratches. After that, it’s bleached using cow dung and castor oil. Finally, a myrobalan nut bath adds tannins to the cloth, giving it a pale yellow hue. All of these stages take around two weeks to accomplish. Thus this traditional technique necessitates a significant amount of effort.
In India, there are villages in Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Andhra Pradesh that still use the same centuries-old block printing technology. The Chippa community in Rajasthan, known for its Bagru prints, is one of the most notable. Fuller’s earth and turmeric are used to make the base cloth. The printing is then done with natural colors such as alum, pomegranate blossoms, and indigo. The key feature is that the printing is done on a particular off-white or beige base fabric color usually obtained from Fuller’s earth that is smeared on it during the preparations.
Their image printing technique is simple, as described in the steps above, and it is the most eco-friendly printing process available. Around 250 families depend on the perpetuation of this practice for their means of living. Another perfect example is Sanganeri prints, which are typically done on a dazzling white background. These prints are hugely floral themes influenced by Sanganer’s flora and fauna concept.
Designs and styles vary by region, but Jaipur is well-known for its use of typical flower positionings termed bootis and geometrical shapes influenced by Islamic art.
A Glimpse of Hand Block Print Outfits
Take a glance at one of our collections that includes hand block print on silk and cotton clothing for women:
Hand Block Print Dupatta With Lace
This hand-block printed green cotton dupatta with lace is ideal for teaming with a floral green and white Kurta set. The elegant look of this floral print dupatta will add charm to your festive look. This green floral block print dupatta is of full 2.5 meters length, including laces at the edges, giving elegance to festive looks. We have many hand-block printed cotton dupattas that come in different colors.
Hand Block Print Cotton Kurta
This aesthetic hand-block printed grey kurta is made up of cotton. It includes long sleeves and a round-neck design that appears elegant. You can get this ethnic wear in any size ranging from XS to XXXL. Match it with palazzo or straight pants, whatever suits you most. It’s ideal for almost every event and will surely make you the center of attraction of the occasion.
Hand Block Print Cotton Pant
Zeenat collection’s hand block print green cotton pants made to add an enticing look to your autumn seasons features floral prints on the entire pants. You can team these beautiful green printed pants with an alluring white or green ethnic Kurta or top and silver ballerinas. These pants are ideal for cold washing and suitable to go in the fall autumn seasons. This ethnic bottom wear comes in all sizes ranging from XS-XXXL.
Hand Block Printed Cotton Dress
Leverage complete excellence with our Zeenat collection’s Magenta Pink hand block cotton printed dress. The graceful dress will arrest your heart with set-off designs and print. If you hunt for a union of stylish and regular wear, then this pink hand-block printed cotton dress is perfect for you. With this magenta pink block print cotton dress, showcase your beauty at festive occasions or even if you are on a trip.
Can Be Known as A Masterpiece
We can understand block print as a blend of plants, ecological integrity, nature, and deeply involved people in each step. These image prints are a pleasing execution of animals, plants, and human culture. Hence, manual block printing is an eco-friendly art worthy of recognition & appreciation and one that displays the charm of nature at its best. Being in Jaipur city, you may shop around for these aesthetic pieces of fine arts for yourself.
Modifications That Have Taken Place In The Printing Process
When it comes to hand-block printing, methods have varied a bit over time– peddled across Arabia, India, and the Far East. Typically biotic dyes were utilized to imprint wood incised patterns onto the organic textile. Rusty iron solution for black and indigo for blue, madder root for red– a method that is still pursued today in typical hand-block printing houses; the trek also unveils the many enhancements that have taken place and the adjustments that have been made to the pursuit to authorize it to remain pertinent.
In addition to the modifications mentioned above in the printing and production techniques, consumer choices have also discerned paradigm relocation because of enhancements in lifestyles, an expansion in the education level, industrial revolution, and the consequent job openings and hike in income amongst others. A primary cause contributing to the variation in consumer choices is the emigration of communities, which wore traditional print designs, to cities or towns. This emigration has led to a shift in their dressing styles and a reduction in demand for traditional arts. As an outcome, traditional markets or haats started to die.
On the bottom line, we would like to introduce you to an affordable fashion house, where you can shop alluring chikankari, hand-embroidered, block-printed cotton, and silk kurtas without even worrying about your pocket. PCL is the brand that we are talking about. At PCL, you can get all kinds of appealing women’s clothing and make your occasions memorable. This fashion house picks the essence of authentic Indian culture and sprinkles it into their collections to connect you with your original roots. Why delay? Come and visit our aesthetic printed and hand-embroidered collections to grab them before they vanish from our collections
