The textile industry of block print curtains is flourishing day by day as the demand for them is increasing rapidly. Now, you can order your favorite block print curtains anywhere in India. The growth of this industry has given employment to a large sector of small artisans and craftsmen who design curtains with their magnificent block printing exquisitely. These curtains help in making the home stylish and elegant.
But do you know how skilled artisans and craftsmen have to work to design elegant block print curtains? It is believed that block printing is the oldest and slowest textile printing. In this, the carved wood blocks are used for printing patterns onto fabrics. This art is prospering in the regions of East Asia.
If we talk about its history, we should tell you that block printing originated in China 4500 years ago. The first time, the block printing was done on a book named Diamond Sutra. This book was published 300 years ago. But in India, this art got a place in the 12th century. The castes Chippa and Khatri represent the community of block printing artisans and craftsmen in the country. The word chippa has been taken from chapana (printing).
In India, the history of block printing dates back to the early 16th century when the Mughal emperors invaded India. The Mughal dynasty is known for introducing fascinating art to the country. Shah Jahan who built a wonderful monument named the Taj Mahal had expensive taste in textiles. At that time, Mughal art flourished. Thousands of small Hindu artisans and craftsmen got a permanent source of livelihood with the help of the brilliant textile industry. The textile centers in Gujarat and Rajasthan prospered during the Mughal Era. If we talk about block printing, was developed in the Mughal era the most. But if we discuss the impact of the British empire upon the small domestic weavers, historians confirm the fact that small domestic weavers and artisans were crushed by the Britishers. The reason behind this is that they never wanted that Indian art would flourish. If it flourished, the Britishers could never get prosperity by selling England’s manufactured products at high prices. History reports a cruel phase of the British empire in which the fingers of the domestic weavers and craftsmen were cut by them mercilessly. To weave and design any fabric was just like going against the authority of the British Empire.
Now, even after more than a century of block printing, the artisans and craftsmen use the same pattern that was used by their families at that time. For some craftsmen and artisans, this is a hereditary business that was handled by their forefathers and now, this responsibility is upon them. Therefore, they are called deft in designing block printing on curtains. They are called skilled in carving wooden blocks for it. They don’t design them ordinarily. But they create masterpieces of wooden blocks to carve them on fabrics. They carve leaf patterns, motifs, flowers, borders, and other things on wooden blocks to design elegant curtains that can style your home.
Different Types of Block Printing
In the machine era, every large-scale industry installs heavy machinery for increasing productivity at a faster rate. The demand for their products is also high. But there are still some customers who aspire to get skilled handcraft work on their purchased decorative items. But this demand is not fulfilled by those industries. This demand is fulfilled by small artisans and craftsmen around the world. Though they work on a small scale, they are master workers. They design masterpieces of block print curtains that look unique and elegant. The demand for such magnificent and hand-designed curtains is very high around the world. Therefore, this is done in various ways by artisans and craftsmen. Let’s glance at the list given below to know the different types of block printing:
- Woodcut printing
- Block printing on fabric
- Linocut printing
- Rubber stamps
- Japanese Ukiyo-e-woodblock printing
- Reduction printing
Different Methods of Block Printing
Three methods are applied for the dye. The first method is the direct method in which a wooden block is dipped into a dye and then, it is stamped onto the fabric. The second method is discharge printing in which a white pattern is created on a colorful fabric. The simple bleaching agent is placed on the wooden blocks to get the white pattern. The third method is resist printing. It is done in the reverse direction. Before dyeing the fabric, the wooden blocks are dipped in a waxy paste. Then, they are stamped onto the fabric. Also, have a glance over the different types of curtains as it will help you take better decisions at the time of the selection of the curtains for your homes.
Disadvantages of Block Printing
Block printing is less productive and more expensive work done on the curtains. This art has not been adopted by the industries because they find fewer opportunities in block printing. Small-scale and cottage industries choose this art and produce block-printed curtains as there is no need for heavy machinery installation. Therefore, this printing takes time. Firstly, the artisan has to carve a wooden block deftly to get the best pattern on the fabric. Then, the dyeing and stamping procedures on the fabrics take place. The fabric that is used by small-scale and cottage industries for block printing curtains is also produced in small quantities. Only sixty to one hundred meters per week of fabric is produced for the purpose.
Block Printing in Jaipur
When we are discussing block printing, we can not forget the block printing of Jaipur. The designs of Jaipur block printing are world-famous. The artisans stamp their traditional art with wooden blocks to produce such masterpieces that nobody has seen before. In national exhibitions, this art is presented and gets outstanding appreciation from international visitors.
Many sub-art forms of block printing have also gained worldwide recognition over the years. Their names are Ajrakh Printing, Bagru Printing, and Dabu Printing.
Block printing has been passed down to generations. Though it is time-consuming and does not give the master artisans and craftsmen a good source of livelihood, it is chosen by them because this art makes them feel confident and proud of their brilliant work of wooden blocks.
There are also different types of fabric available in the market. You should also have a look at the details on curtain fabric materials so that you choose the best fabric to suit your interiors.
