Block Printing on Fabrics in Rajasthan is an ancient and popular method of printing on cloth, paper, and other materials that originated in India many years ago. It uses natural colours and vegetable dyes. Jaipur, India’s Pink City and the capital of Rajasthan, was built by Jai Singh II and is one of Vidyadhar Bhattacharya’s earliest planned cities in modern India. Aside from its beauty and traditional culture, Jaipur is known for its Block Printing Art. Other names for block printing in India include “Woodblock Printing,” “Woodcut Printing,” and “Hand block Printing.” The art of block printing is accomplished through a lovely process in which the requisite designs are carved on blocks and natural dyes are used to print on fabrics.
HISTORY OF BLOCK PRINTING
For more than 500 years, the traditional art of block printing has been practised in Rajasthan, India. Block printing began in the 12th century, and the rich art form of printing on fabrics was enjoyed by the Kings and Queens of the time, making Block Printing art identifiable as royal patronage. The old Chippa Group pioneered block printing on fabrics Located in Rajasthan’s Bagru district.
Bagru printing, Sanganeri printing, Kalamkari block printing, Ajrakh printing, and Dabu printing are examples of block printing on cloth that have been passed down through generations. Sanganer and Bagru in Rajasthan are the major hubs of Block printing in India while block printing in Jaipur has a huge unorganized textile market including Block Print Quilts, Kurtis, Shirts, Bedsheets, Scarfs, etc.
BLOCK PRINTING PROCESS
Block printing is an easy and time-consuming manual operation. The wooden blocks are carved to the desired design and then dipped in natural or vegetable dyes and colours before being pressed on the cloth for fabric printing. Though mastering the block printing process takes time and practise, the basic procedure is as follows:
BLOCK CRAVING:
To begin, a design is drawn on paper that will be carved into the wooden block. Sanganeri prints, Mughal prints, motifs, and other influences can be found in these designs. The design is traced and carved on the wooden blocks by hand after the design drawing is completed. Each color’s block craving is completed separately.
For example, if the design calls for two colours, such as yellow and red, woodblock carving is performed on two separate blocks for each colour. The woodblock carving is done with care and takes years of practise and apprenticeship to learn, leaving behind a beautiful carving of the necessary style.
BLOCK PRINTING IN JAIPUR:
Block printing is a traditional art form that has been practised for many years, and it has recently gained popularity in Jaipur. Block printing’s designs and art forms are widely regarded as the most common and best around the world. Traditional block printing designs are created through the labour and energy of artisans, and they add a cultural and trendy vibe. There are also several sub-art types of block printing, such as Bagru printing, Ajrakh printing, Kalamkari Block printing, Dabu printing, and Sanganeri prints, that have grown in popularity over time and are widely used in the production of various textile products.
Sanganer, near Jaipur, is a global textile and export centre for block print fabrics and block printed design goods. Traditional block print designs include small flower designs, various bootis, motifs, Mughal designs such as elephants, luxuriant flowers, and other designs from ancient times that are very common in India.
Block printing, as a result, requires proper artwork, skill, and expertise of the artisans in order to produce a beautiful and creative piece of block printing designs, as well as sustainable manufacturing practises to help the artisans and ensure sustainability.
Lushfab Jaipur creates exquisite Block PrintJaipuri Razai (Quilts) that are handcrafted with love and care to keep you warm and comfortable. Visit our manufacturing facility in Sanganer for a tour or shop the range online.