One of the oldest printing methods technique – Block Printing is a method of using a carved piece of wood or any other type of carved block like linoleum available in the market nowadays to imprint an image on paper or fabric. This is basically a stamp that you press onto paper, cloth or other material using ink. Block-printing can be done with wood, linoleum, rubber or various other materials, wood being the oldest medium of all. The reason why it is called the oldest printmaking method is due to the evidence of its existence in as early as the 15th Century BC. It has been done around the world with its roots in India, China, and Japan.
In our blog, we will discuss the following things:
1. Steps Involved In Block-Printing
The images that are printed with this technique are much bolder than other types of printmaking. Since these blocks are carved by hands, a huge amount of detailing is kept in mind while carving the blocks. This is also called a “relief printing” because the ink leaves a raised texture on the paper. Typically, done by hand, the ink sits on the surface adding a raised texture to the paper. Meticulous and time-intensive, it is a fast-dwindling profession.
Step 1 – To Sketch The Design
As a first step, the design is created. These designs are typically influenced by the nature, beliefs, and customs of the region. Sometimes they take the form of plants and animals.
Here the craftsmen trace motifs very carefully. One needs to be very careful in doing this. It is very important to reverse the image if you are using a text, as the printing image will be the reverse of what is there on the block. So you need to be very specific.
Step 2 – Carve Design On Block
This step takes away from one hour to several weeks or months in carving a block depending on the size and detailing of the image.
Craftsmen use several types of knives for doing the same. This process or step takes a lot of patience. Once the block is carved, it is given a neat look by giving a finishing touch at the edges.
Step 3 – Color Choice
To use the best possible color to give it an impact. The best are the oil-based inks because they give the best coverage and prints well on the paper or fabric.
Step 4 – Dying Of Fabric
The fabric is then dyed in the base color and laid nicely on the table. Then the same is pinned nicely from all the corners. This again needs to be done in a very careful manner, because a single unwanted movement can result in smudges or uneven printing which means that we have to again start from scratch. Sustainability is the name of the game. Using pomegranate peel for green, annatto seeds for yellow, sevalkuddi for red, all colors used are home-made. Even the raw materials are obtained only through sustainable farming methods.
Step 5 – Transferring The Design On Fabric
The colors so chose, is then roll onto the block, making sure a thin and even layer to be transferred onto the block. Once the inking is done, the block is then pressed down onto the paper or fabric. This requires a certain amount of force, often achieved either by hitting the stamp by hand or with the aid of a hammer. If the design incorporates multiple colors, then each is applied separately with its own block.
Step 6 – Drying Of Fabric
Once the dye has dried, the completed block print fabric is rinsed in a local river or waterway. The block printing process concludes by hanging the fabric to dry in the sun.
Good hand block printing requires skill and plenty of practice in order to create uniformity and clear block printing patterns. The tiny variations in the block printing, vibrant and meaningful motifs, and handmade techniques of Indian block print fabric are what give it such a unique charm.
2. History Of Block Printing
As this art has a history starting from India, China, and Japan so many artisan communities in these countries practice this art even today, and each one of them has their particular way of doing this. Let us take a tour to Jaipur and learn this art majorly from this city of Rajasthan.
As with most ancient practices, every process in this hand block printing is done with the help of a cloth and is labor-intensive and time-consuming. In the traditional method, cotton is torn by hand and scoured with soda ash before being washed and thrashed repeatedly to remove natural oils and scratches. Then it is treated with cow dung and castor oil to bleach it. Finally, a myrobalan nut bath introduces tannins that give the cloth a pale yellow color. All these steps need time to complete approximately two weeks, so a lot of effort is involved in this traditional practice.
In India, we have such communities in Gujarat, Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh that follow the same traditional centuries-old method of block printing. Notable among these is the Chippa community in Rajasthan that are famous for their Bagru prints. In this, the base cloth is prepared with fuller’s earth and turmeric. then natural dyes like alum, pomegranate flowers, and indigo are used in printing. The main characteristic of this is to do the printing on distinctive off-white or beige base cloth colors that they usually get from the Fuller’s earth that as smeared on it during the preparations. Their printing process is simple as described in the steps above which is actually the most eco-friendly printing technique in existence. Approximately 250 families are making their livelihood by taking this tradition ahead.
Sanganeri prints are another fine example, which is normally done on the bright white background. These are mostly the floral motifs inspired by flora and fauna of Sanganer.
Kalamkari is a hand block printing method that is a native to Andhra Pradesh and is characterized by floral forms with thin black outlines. They are influenced by Persian art.
Styles and designs vary from region to region and Jaipur have become world-renowned for using heritage floral designs known as bootis, as well as geometric designs influenced by Islamic art.
3. Importance Of Block Printing
In this age where machines churn out yards of fabric limitations, here is a product that is created by hand with utmost skill and care. This factor alone is sufficient to mark the uniqueness of this technique. However, as another special quality that few other designs can replicate. The technique has evolved over centuries, but most of the original methods remain intact, and each hand block printed fabric has its unique story to tell.
As Jaipur is famous for the art when on a Tour to the Royal city, take a look at any authentic hand block-printed fabric and you will realize the minuteness of the work involved. The human touch is evident due to the presence of minor imperfections that are otherwise omitted by the machines. But one can apparently appreciate the efforts of the artisans that goes into every stage of creating a hand block printed fabric.
We can call it a celebration of ecological integrity, plants, nature, and people who are closely involved in each step. These prints are a beautiful rendition of plants, animals and human culture. Thus, hand block-printing is an environmentally friendly art that deserves appreciation and recognition, and one that showcases the beauty of nature at its best. Being in the city of Jaipur, you may shop for these authentic pieces of art for yourself.
We will discuss the importance of Rajasthani block printing and the common places where this practice takes place in abundance followed by the changes that have taken place all these years in this practice in our next blog.