The Timeless Art Of Indian Fabric Printing

Timeless Art Of Indian Fabric Printing

There is a legacy of art in India and even in the country’s fabric printing process. Using a wide range of textiles and Indian fabric printing blocks, there is a wide range of unique designs and patterns created which used in making an equally wide range of clothes.

An interesting aspect of Indian fabric printing is the versatility of its application in the field of fashion and clothing. Even though the Indian fabric print design is primarily traditional, they are widely used for making various kinds of western wear and fusion wear and come out beautifully in their designs.

The Blocks

One of the first things that you will see in the entire process of fabric printing in India is the use of blocks which are used in printing on fabrics.

The Indian fabric printing blocks may seem daunting at first simply by their robust appearance; with time you can understand their skillful application that brings out such amazing creativity with new designs on the fabrics.

It is also this robustness in them that they refer to as blocks in the first place.

• These are wooden blocks mostly shaped like bricks
• The designs for the prints are engraved or carved out on one side
• There are handles created on the opposite side for better grip and hold of the block while printing
• These are skillfully dipped in liquid dye color preparations and then directly applied to the fabric
• Sometimes there is a very skillful use of two or more blocks to bring out a multicolored design or pattern as well

The Techniques

When we talk of Indian fabric printing techniques, this can also lead to a discussion on the various types of print designs available in the country.

There is a very unique braided relationship between the types and the techniques of the print designs in India. There are different techniques of printing on fabrics available in various parts of the country. Each of these gives out a particular type of print with their respective techniques.

• Kalamkari
• Ajrakh
• Dabu
• Bagh
• Batik
• Ikat
• Gold and Silver Dust prints

These are some of the popular names of Indian fabric print design that have been carried out through centuries since they first developed;

They are mostly carried out in their original indigenous styles with the use of the same dyes and color schemes and the design patterns.

The Print Designs

The designs used for the types of Indian fabric prints are unique and traditional to the specific technique. These designs along with the use of certain color schemes have been popular through the ages.

With time there is the inclusion of newer design patterns and the use of various colors within each technique. This has considerably added to the vividness and beauty of these fabrics.

Bandhani

There are many that may suggest the inclusion of Bandhani as one of the types of Indian fabric printing techniques. Bandhani is a unique process of dying fabrics but does not involve the archetypal printing process that is hitherto seen. It is also referred to as the ‘Tie and Dye’ method or technique but there is no use of blocks in the original method.

With time and increasing popularity, the use of Bandhani print blocks has taken over. This makes a more affordable range of fabrics possible with the use of block printing instead of the more complicated Bandhani or tying method of fabric coloring.

Batik

The use of Batik has also found an expression through printing even though the original process is different.

Batik is a unique means of coloring or dyeing the fabric with the use of wax and dyeing colors that gives out a style of fabric design. However, this process is expensive as it is having found an alternative with the use of printing blocks. Printing blocks brings out similar designs on the fabrics at a much less price.

The original technique is still very popular and available but the print option has found its way into a more affordable range of everyday fabrics.

The Color Dyes

The use of chemical dyes and colors has come in much later into the Indian fabric printing industry. Traditionally the colors used to derived from natural sources and were mostly plant-based colors.

Perhaps this is the reason behind the use of specific colors in each type of Indian fabric print that is found in a specific part of the country. You will find the use of colors that come from plants and flowers available in that part of the country only.

Modern innovations have made the use of chemical dyes and colors common among the artisans and makers of printed materials. This has not only made their work easier but enabled them to cater to the increased demands for printed fabrics as well.

The availability of ready-to-use colors has also simplified the work of the artisans who can now focus on their blocks and their printing work. Nowadays, there is also a growing popularity for natural dyes which makes the same colors available commercially too.

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The Fabrics

The printed materials come at very affordable price ranges which makes these popular among the buyers; this is more used for commonly worn clothes on a daily basis.

• Cotton will be seen commonly as it is also one of the most popular and comfortable fabrics for hot and humid conditions.
• The use of silk is also prevalent even though the variety of the fabric may not always be very expensive
• There is a new fabric called cotton silk that has become popular in recent years. It has a lustrous finish of silk while being comfortable like pure cotton

The Artisans And Printers

For many generations, the artisans of the fabric printing process in India have remained its biggest ambassadors. Without the persistent continuity of their skilled craftsmanship, the traditions of Indian fabric printing would have died a natural death.

In recent years, artisans have found a great deal of support from governmental organizations. Government have set out to popularize their work within the country and abroad.

The fashion designers and fabric manufacturing companies have equally supported the artisans and their art with the use of these techniques in modern printing; this has greatly helped in spreading the names of the prints along with their unique designs throughout the country.

Modern Printing

There are modern industrial companies for printing that manufacture Indian fabrics on a large scale.

With the use of Indian fabric printing techniques. They use the talent and resources from the same sources of fabric prints that in turn help in the popularizing of the traditions of India.

The presence of the commercial industry has had a positive effect on the Indian fabric printing industry. It also helped to put the focus back on the skillful art and the artisans.

Industrial manufacturing assisted in the bulk production of the fabrics in different designs to be made available across the country.

It is a relief that we are not yet losing out on our valuable heritage and traditional inheritances.

Want to learn more about Indian fabric printing? If so, we welcome you to come and join us