The craft of Indian block print fabric is an ancient form of textile art done and recognized in Rajasthan and Gujarat for centuries. It is a very old technique similar to woodblock printing on fabrics – here they use carved wooden stamps, soaked in natural dye and then stamped onto the fabric, allowing for the creation of numerous similar patterns. The block print fabric is most famous in India and is known for its colors, designs, and cultural importance that it has to offer in-home furnishing, apparel, and accessories all around the world. The patterns, evoking nature, history, and Indian mythology, are different from the standardization of most modern manufactured fabrics, making the Indian block print textiles’ trademarked expressions a depiction of traditional Indian artistry.
The process of developing the block printing on the fabrics is a slow process in which designs are carved onto the wooden block. These are called hand block tools and they are pressed into dye and then stamped onto the fabric in a set/patterned form. Cotton or line fabrics for block printing are used most often as they are bio-synthetically generated fibers that are good absorptive materials for dyes and allow for intricate carving. Traditionally, woodblock print fabric of Indian origin has a beautiful geometric pattern, as well as subtle floral designs, so the product is rather universal and can be used for clothing, including fashion garments, and interior design, such as upholstery and curtains.
However, organic natural dye and environmentally friendly processes are utilized in the manufacturing of the Indian block print fabric. The various bright hues elicited from textiles through woodblock printing are obtained mainly from natural resources, which include indigo, and turmeric. These sustainable practices have helped make Indian fabric the leading fabric that consumers want to use for their textile since it meets their needs for both look and feel as well as sustainability. The depth of color and texture in block print cloth is difficult to achieve in machine-printed cloth and this adds more appeal to the concept at a time when people are turning to handmade and more artisanal products.
How does one answer the question of what is block printing without understanding the cultural importance of this method of printing? Traditionally the skill has been continued by Indian artisans from one generation to the other to sustain the age-old forms of embroidery. What came from this is a booming trade that benefits the local markets and at the same time preserves the tradition. Indian block print textiles are more timeless than trendy because they can forever provide a combination of aesthetic value, cultural heritage, and environmental conservation. Whether being used to dress up the latest fashion in contemporary society or dressing up the traditional wear of a country, block print fabric remains fascinating to people all over the world.
