Craft Name: Block Printing (traditional wooden block printing)
Region: Rajasthan, Gujarat
CRAFT
HISTORY
Block printing is one of India’s oldest textile arts, dating back over 2,000 years, with early evidence from Gujarat’s Harappan sites and medieval Rajasthani trade centres. The craft flourished in Bagru, Sanganer, Ajrakhpur, and Dhamadka, where each region developed its own identity: Bagru’s earthy alizarin reds and indigo blues, Sanganer’s fine floral lines, and Gujarat’s bold geometric repeats. Historically, block-printed fabrics were traded to Persia, Egypt, and Southeast Asia. Families of chhipa artisans passed down the craft through generations.
WHAT MAKES IT UNIQUE:
- Printed using hand-carved wooden blocks.
- Uses natural dyes and mud-resist and vegetable dyes techniques.
Received a
GI tag in 2023
COLOURS
- Sanganer: delicate pastels and madder; Bagru: natural earth tones and indigo.
How much time does it take to make a product, and how many artisans are involved in making this craft?
A block-printed piece takes 5 –10 days, involving 1–3 artisans in the process
MOTIFS
- Floral vines, paisleys, geometric repeats, regional icons.
RAW MATERIAL
- Fabrics: cotton, silk, muslin
- Wooden blocks, natural & synthetic dyes, mordants (alum)
- Printing tables, rubbing pads, dye vats
CRAFT MAKING PROCESS
HOW TO IDENTIFY GENUINE BLOCK PRINT
- Slight misalignments/registration marks and ink irregularities.
- Natural-dye smell and soft hand for authentic pieces.