What is block printing in textiles?

The Ancient Art Of Jaipur.......

Block printing is a way of creating colored designs on fabric using wooden blocks. The hand block printing process involves block printing craftsmen or women using wooden or sometimes metal blocks that each have a particular pattern carved on them to stamp on plain fabrics.  Sometimes several layers of patterns in different colors are printed over each other to create multi-colored designs.

Block printing has been used in India since the 12th century and India is now one of the largest manufacturers and exporters of block printed fabric in the world.  Jaipuri block prints are famous throughout India and most hand block printed fabric from Jaipur is actually printed in Sanganer.  We love taking classes in order to engage more deeply with the local culture, such as learning tie and dye.  Since Sanganeri hand block printing is so famous, this seemed the most logical place to learn how to do it ourselves and we were happy to discover that this was indeed one of the best places to take printing courses in India.

Wooden Blocks for block printing.....