BLOCK PRINTING

TEXTILE DESIGN AND PRINT MAKING

P R E S E N T E D B Y: S E H A R J AV E D & T E H R E E M A S I M
 Block printing is a popular printmaking technique that
ORIGIN originated in China more than a thousand years ago.
producing a “stamp” to produce a print.
 METHO
D
Block printing involves the use of a block generally made of
wood into which the design is cut or carved. The carved
surface of the block is covered with color and the design is
transferred to the surface of the fabric.
Each block has a wooden handle and two to three cylindrical
holes drilled into the block for free air passage and also to
allow release of excess printing paste.
 APPLICATIO
N
• The new blocks are soaked in oil for 10-15 days
to soften the grains in the timber.
• The fabric to be printed is washed free of starch
and soft bleached if the natural grey of the fabric
is not desired.
• If dyeing is required, it is done before printing.
 …
• The fabric is stretched over the printing table and
fastened with small pins.
• The printing starts from left to right.
• When the block is applied to the fabric, it is
slammed hard with the fist on the back of the
handle so that a good impression may register.
 …
• The color is evened out in the tray with a wedge of wood
and the block dipped into the outline color.
• types of dyes: pigment dyes and rapid fast dyes (rapid dyes
once prepared for printing have to be utilized on that day
only).
• After printing, the garment is dried in the sun.(steaming is
done for both silk and cotton fabric).
• followed by washing, drying of fabric in the sun and at last
ironing. This whole procedure fixes the print permanently
on the garment.
Thank You!
Any Questions?