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