| Block printing, as name suggests, is the use of | | | | to the design.b) Resist Printing: This is the technique |
| wooden blocks in the process of dyeing and printing. | | | | which in fact, resists the dye to be applied on some |
| In India, block printing has been in practice since 12th | | | | particular areas of the fabric. The prints are designed |
| century. Even before that in 6th century BC, there | | | | in such a way that at some places there is no need |
| are references that India was maintaining trade | | | | of dyeing. To facilitate this, a mixture of clay and |
| relationship in cotton with Babylon. Thus we get the | | | | resin is applied on the areas where dyeing is not |
| idea that India has very old heritage of cotton | | | | wanted. Dye though reaches the protected areas |
| clothes. Block printing is so renowned for use of rich | | | | through cracks producing a rippled pattern. But it is |
| and vibrant colors. Traditionally, natural vegetable | | | | taken as beautification. Then, the dyed fabric is |
| colors were used in this process but now-a-days | | | | washed. Further, the remaining areas of the fabric |
| synthetic colors are also in use. | | | | are normally block printed.c) Discharge Printing: In this |
| There are three principal techniques of block | | | | technique of block printing. First, the fabric is dyed in |
| printing:a) Direct Printing: In this technique of block | | | | the desired color. Then, a chemical is applied to some |
| printing, first, the cotton or silk fabric is washed to | | | | regions of the fabric to fade or remove the color |
| make it free of starch. Then it is bleached softly, if | | | | effect. Further, these faded regions are again dyed |
| the natural grey color of the fabric is not required. | | | | but in different color, so that a different color effect |
| Wooden blocks, also known as "bunta" are | | | | is produced. |
| undergone minute designed carving at the bottom. | | | | Block Printing is done in various parts of India. Main |
| These wooden blocks are used to print the fabric | | | | centers of block printing in Gujarat and Rajasthan are |
| with the help of already prepared colors. Printing is | | | | Ahmedabad, Sanganer, Bagru, Farrukhabad and |
| first done at the outer sides of the fabric and then | | | | Pethapur. Ajrakh prints and Lepakshi prints are some |
| follows printing of inner areas. First the bigger details | | | | of the most popular block prints. |
| are covered then the smaller details are put according | | | | |