The art of block printing

 

Block printing by hand is a slow process, and is the earliest, simplest and slowest of all printing methods. The technique used in the printing houses today, has changed very little over the centuries and takes years to master. 

Once the design is carved on to the wooden block, the printer applies the colour and presses the block down steadily on the cloth, firmly hitting the back of the block once with their hand to stamp the cloth with the pattern. Each succeeding impression is made in precisely the same manner, checking carefully that the block aligns, until the length of cloth is fully printed.

The cloth is then wound over drying rollers. A separate block is required for each distinct colour in the design. If the pattern contains several colours the cloth is first printed throughout with one colour, dried, and then printed with the next. 

The printing of our fabrics is done in exactly this way by artisans in the outskirts of Jaipur, using natural dyes and 100% GOTS certified organic cotton.

The fabric is then dried in the Rajasthani sunshine before being sent to our tailors to create our wonderful jackets.