Which Block Printed Fabric And Techniques Are Most Popular?

Block printing is one of the most common kinds of hand printing. Block printing is a method of printing textiles that involves stamping ink-dipped blocks made of wood or linoleum onto cloth. This technique is one of the oldest and most basic ways to make personalized clothes. It's a more adaptable and sustainable technology that works well for both tiny tailored innovations and large-scale manufacturing.

Chinese are the earliest cloth printing originating from before 220 AD. Woodblock printing originated in Tang China in the seventh century AD and was the most widespread East Asian method of printing books, other texts, and pictures until the nineteenth century. Ukiyo-e is the most popular form of Japanese woodblock art print. The art term woodcut covers the majority of European applications of the method for printing images on paper, except block books created mostly in India in the fifteenth century. Until the development of woodblock printing, seals and stamps were employed to create impressions.

History of Block Painting and Block Painting Fabric

Block printing began in China, but it was only in India that hand-block printed textiles achieved their full creative expression and commercial potential. Block-printed textiles include a complex cultural history influenced by tradition, conquest, colonialism, commerce, technology, and entrepreneurship. They are part of a dynamic visual and material culture that has assimilated a wide range of influences over several centuries to form its current distinct expression and identity.

Block-printed textiles have been recorded since the Indus Valley culture, which existed between 3500 and 1300 BC. Textile exports, particularly cotton, have been verified beginning with the Harappan period. Needles, spindles, and cotton fibers painted with Madder were discovered during the excavation of the Mohenjo-Daro site. This demonstrates that Harappan painters were familiar with mordants. However, Kumra argues that block printing prospered in India only because of Mughal sponsorship. "The Mughals introduced the intricate floral motifs that are still widely used in the hand-block printed textiles from Rajasthan," explains the author.

According to designer Punit Balana, printing and dyeing of fabrics such as cotton began in Rajasthan and was later borrowed by Gujarat. The art form is currently practiced in the states of Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Maharashtra. Rajasthan's prominent cities include Jaipur, Bagru, Sanganer, Pali, and Barmer, and the state is famed for its vivid prints of gods, goddesses, humans, animals, and birds. While Bagru is famed for its Syahi Begar and Dabu prints, Sanganer is known for its Calico and Do Rukhi prints. Barmer is notable for its prints of red chilies and trees with a blue-black outline, whilst Sikar and Shekhawat prints have motifs of horses, camels, peacocks, and lions.

Wanna Know Which Are The Famous Techniques Of Block Printing Fabric?

There are so many techniques of block paintings but some are so popular that they are in high demand always, so here are some top Printing Techniques in detail.

Resist Printing:- In this process, the area of the cloth that will not be colored is coated with a resin and clay mixture. The fabric is next dyed with the appropriate color; at this point, the dye penetrates the fractures, resulting in a wavy pattern of colors on the material. Finally, the cloth is block printed.

Discharge Printing:- First, the cloth on which the printing will be done is colored. A chemical is used to remove the dye from the area of the cloth where the patterns will be created. The printed parts are then treated to allow for recoloring.

Direct Block Printing:- The cloth used here is either cotton or silk. The material is first bleached and then dyed to the desired hue. After that, block printing is done on the borders using carved wooden blocks, followed by printing inside the borders.

Which is the Famous Block Painting Fabric?

There are mainly 3 Famous block paintings of Fabric Origins. Below We mention all three famous Block Paintings Fabric in detail.

Bagru Block Print Fabric- Bagru is one of Rajasthan's most well-known hand block printing traditions; while difficult, this printing process delivers stunning results. It's traditional hand block printing on fabrics with beautiful natural colors has been practiced for many generations. The procedure is lengthy and time-consuming, necessitating the "Chhipa" or Printer's remarkable talent and patience. The native name "Chhipa" refers to both the printer and the community that does this trade. This method was established by families and is passed down via tradition in Rajasthan.

Block print fabric has existed for generations, producing some of the greatest Indian prints. The trade, which entails generating wash-resistant prints over a lengthy period, is dominated by skilled artisans. Patterns in rich hues such as indigo blue, alizarin red, iron black, and brilliant yellow are made on coarse base cloth that is often cream or yellowish using indigenous dyeing and printing procedures. Geometric shapes, as well as floral, animal, and avian forms, were used to create patterns. Bagru patterns include birds, fruits, leaves, animals, and geometrical forms.

Another prominent style in Bagru is interlaced lines, often known as "Jaal". The styles and themes have been modified to some extent to reflect changing markets. The printing process is fundamentally comprised of washing, hard dyeing, drying, and other steps. Blocks are arranged from left to right and banged firmly into the cloth. The cloth is dried subsequently. They are then washed, boiled, and rinsed to provide the finished product. Bagru's brilliantly colored block-printed textiles are used for both garments and home furnishings, such as quilts, bedspreads, pillows, and curtains.

Bagh Block Print Fabric- Bagh is a distinct kind of block printing on handloom fabrics, derived from its current form in Bagh village, Madhya Pradesh, India. It is often practiced on a white backdrop and uses natural hues of red and black. Additionally, the chemical qualities of the Bagh River are employed to produce distinct hues. The Khatri people, who moved from Sindh, were the first to establish this printing technique. The Bagh block print fabric was an art of dyeing and printing inspired by iconic landmarks such as the Taj Mahal, as well as nature. Geometric motifs in brilliant hues are frequently used as the main motif. Bagh prints are mostly composed of flowers and flowery designs. Geometric patterns are also popular.

The procedure takes advantage of geometric shapes and vivid colors, as well as the river's chemical qualities, to get the most unusual tones. Following the removal of starch, the cloth is subjected to the "Bhatti process," which consists of boiling, drying, and then printing. Because cotton was the primary material utilized, these textiles were lightweight and pleasant.

Sanganer Block Print Fabric- Sanganer, located on the outskirts of Jaipur, is a prominent fabric printing facility. The Sanganeri hand block-printing business benefits from natural conditions such as water, sunshine, air humidity, and the native herbs and flowers utilized in the printing process. Today, Sanganer is populated by block manufacturers and printers of their block print fabric. Sanganeri Hand Block Prints fabrics are known for their off-white or pure-white backgrounds. The patterns are extremely detailed, with delicate lines and details. Beautiful floral motifs with buds, flowers, leaves, petals, almonds, mangoes, and even Jhumkas are occasionally included in the intricate designs on the blocks.

The hues are mainly crimson and black, with the rare violet. Geometric patterns complement the floral and leaf themes of roses, lilies, marigolds, sunflowers, and lotus. The motifs' outlines are clearly and delicately printed first, followed by the color. Plant names are used to identify floral theme patterns. Sanganer Hand Block Printing can be done using either vegetable or chemical colors. Sanganeri pattern bed linens are quite popular. Block printing is mostly used for saris, dupattas, salwar kameez, bedcovers, curtains, scarves, and other home décor.

Important Note:-

Hand-printed textiles have long been popular among India's urban elite, and there is a significant niche market for them. Nowadays, eco-friendly production and the rebirth of craft as an antidote to the alienation caused by industrialization have all helped to restore the block printing business.

Block prints are a source of pride in India since the age-old technique of dying and painting cloth using wooden blocks has been mastered over centuries. Whether it's Rajasthan's iconic Dabu print or Gujarat's Ajrakh, each block print represents the country's enormous past and vibrant culture. After all, India is one of the world's top makers and exporters of block-printed textiles, meeting the demands of niche markets and textile aficionados worldwide. Here At the Crafjaipur, we provide the best block print cotton fabric at the best price. Our every creation narrates a story of skill, culture, and creativity. We also sell block print cotton fabric from famous origins like Bagru print fabric at the Wholesale price.