Hand-block printing is an inseparable part of cultural heritage of Rajasthan. Traditionally, Sanganer produced fine small floral motifs on white backgrounds for the royal court, whilst Bagru produced simplified graphic designs for the local rural people. The process of hand block printing is very intricate and interesting. Once the teak block has been carved, the cloth to be printed is stretched out on a table five metres long and pinned at each end to fix it. A tray is filled with the pigment and the block is placed into it to collect the accurate amount of dye. ![]() The tray, which contains a metal grid with layers of fabric laid on top, is filled with dye. The dye soaks through the fabric, which then acts as an ink pad against which the block is to be pressed. The block is then placed carefully on the fabric and struck with the heel of the printer's hand. The process is repeated until the entire cloth is covered. This means that the cloth can be stamped over a 1000 times for three metres. Each colour has its own block and each colour is lined up using tiny markers in the blocks. Colours can vary owing to the weather and as it is printed in five metre lengths can vary within a collection. Natural dyes are affected more by the weather and printing has to stop completely over the Monsoon season. The more colours used the greater is the time and labour required for cutting the blocks and printing the cloth. Different dyes react in different ways and therefore have separate process when applied to fabric. Indigo dyes for example are resist-printed with a paste made from clay, wheat chaff and gum. The resist paste is printed on the cloth with a block and left to dry. This block the indigo dye from penetrating the cloth when the cloth is later dipped into the indigo vat. Once the cloth has been dyed it is washed to remove excess dye and the resist paste. Hand block printed fabrics are best washed in warm water with a gentle detergent. This ensures the colours remain rich and vibrant. |