Artists & Artisans We Love, Elly Adventures
Hand Block Printing
Mar
“Combined with natural vegetable dyes and entirely human-powered production, block printing leaves a remarkably light footprint.”
Block Printed Fabric: The Art of Hand Block Printing
Hand block printing is one of my all-time favourite crafts. Many of you will have admired the beautiful results of this technique on clothing, cushions and homewares — but have you ever stopped to think about how those incredible prints are actually brought to life?
Block printed fabric is made by hand, one precious stamp at a time. And it is a skill that requires the patience of a saint.
What is hand block printing?
Hand block printing is one of the oldest methods of printing patterns onto fabric, originating in China and reaching its most celebrated form in India, particularly in Rajasthan, where the tradition has been practised for centuries.
The process begins with hand-carved wooden blocks. Skilled craftsmen — known in India as chippas — sculpt intricate patterns directly into blocks of wood, essentially creating a large, beautifully detailed stamp. I have always collected old hand blocks, and they are a work of art in themselves, even before a single print has been made.
The block is then dipped in ink or dye — wherever possible we prefer to use natural vegetable dyes — and pressed firmly and precisely onto the fabric by hand. This process is repeated, block by block, motif by motif, across large rolls of fabric. Depending on the complexity of the design, multiple blocks may be used for a single motif, each one adding another layer of colour or detail.
Why block printed fabric is one of the most sustainable choices
Beyond its beauty, block printed fabric is one of the more sustainable printing methods available. Before printing begins, the fabric is first soaked in water to remove any starchiness from the fibres. Many Indian artisans do this in local rivers, significantly reducing water consumption compared to industrial printing processes. Combined with natural vegetable dyes and entirely human-powered production, block printing leaves a remarkably light footprint.
It’s one of the reasons I keep coming back to it.
“Every time you choose a piece of block printed fabric, you are playing your part in keeping it alive too.”
Indian block printing, Jaipur and the chippas
Every sourcing trip to India includes a visit to Jaipur, and it is always one of the highlights. Watching the chippas bring the whole process to life — the rhythm of the blocks, the precision of the alignment, the way a pattern emerges across metres of fabric simply never gets old.
Indian block printing has an extraordinary heritage. The chippa community has practised this craft for generations, passing the skill from parent to child, keeping alive techniques that might otherwise disappear. I work exclusively with small family businesses, always making sure they are working in fair conditions and receiving fair pay for their extraordinary skill.
Keeping this craft alive matters deeply to me. Associations across India are working hard to teach block printing to those less fortunate, ensuring new generations can carry the tradition forward. Every time you choose a piece of block printed fabric, you are playing your part in keeping it alive too.
Block printed fabric at La Galeria Elefante
At the boutique, block printed fabric runs through so much of what we do — from clothing to cushions to notebooks. Here are some of my favourites:
- Block Print Shirt — a wardrobe staple in beautiful hand block printed cotton
- Square Floor Cushion — bring block printed fabric into your home
Help us keep this craft alive
These techniques are so utterly extraordinary that I truly believe they must never disappear. Support fair trade whenever you can, choose handmade over mass-produced, and know that behind every piece of block printed fabric is a maker with a story worth telling.
Love artisan crafts as much as we do? Read our guides to ikat fabric and kantha stitch — two more techniques that have completely stolen my heart.
