Detailed information regarding DABU block print

1. HAND BLOCKPRINTING
SANDEEP JAISWAR

2. INTRODUCTION
The earliest techniques used to color fabric was printing with a simple
wooden block. Printing is a process of applying color to fabric in definite
patterns or designs.
Block print are best used in decorative wall hanging, garments like saris, skirts,
tops, bed linens and dress materials. It is mostly done on cotton, silk or linen
by means of carves on wooden block.
There is much diversity in design; normally varying from figures of animals
and birds to traditional patterns of flowers, trees and also modern graphical
patterns
Block printing is done by hands it is a slow process. However, it is capable of
by giving way under pressure and gives highly artistic results.

3. FEATURES
•It yields very low production
•The cost of setup is very less
•Very skilled personnel is required to do such printing
•The cost of making design is very less, however the durability of design is very
low, being defined by durability of block; usually made of wood.
•The variety of design is dicated by the skill of the wood worker who carves
those design
•The size of design pattern repeat can be larger.
•There is a limitation of width of the fabric which dicated by the width of the
table

4. PROCESS :- Block Carving
Blocks are made of seasoned
teak wood by trained craftsmen.
The underside of the block has
the design hand carved on it by
the block maker. Each block has a
wooden handle and two
cylindrical holes drilled into the
block for free air passage and
also to allow release of excess
printing paste.
The new block are soaked in oil
for 10 – 15 days to soften the
grains in the timber

5. Block Carving

6. Block Printing
The fabric to be printed is washed
free of starch and soft bleached if the
natural grey of the fabric is not
desired.
If the borders are made, then the
cloth at the border area are tied then
dyed before printing.
The fabric is again washed to remove
excess dye and dried thoroughly.
The fabric stretched over the printing
table and fastened with small pins.
This is an important stage as there
should be a uniform tension in the
fabric and no ripples

7. Block Printing
Color is mixed separately in another
room. Usually pigment dyes are used
for cotton.
The number of blocks needed per
design depends on the number of
colors used.
A tray is filled with the pigment and
the block is placed into it to collect the
accurate amount of the dye.
The tray which contains a metal grid
with layers of fabric laid on top, is filled
with dye. The dye soaks through the
fabric, which then acts as a color pad
against which the block is to be
pressed

8. COLORANTS :- Dyes & Pigments
There are various classes of dyes depend upon kind of fabrics used.
For instance reactive and wet dye for cellulosic fiber or acid for wool and
nylon, disperse for synthetic
Colors are extensively used by printers compare to dyes.
Pigments are insoluble colorants or affinity for textile fibers so applied to
fabric with resin or binder

9. PRINTING AUXILLARIES
WETTING AGENT :- Added to provide adequate water medium to dissolve the
dye e.g. TRO, urea and glycerin
THICKENERS :- Thickening agent are mixed in printing paste to hold the dye
particles in the design on the fabric until the fixation is take place.
Gives viscosity, stickiness and plasticity to print paste shouldn’t turn into
brittle flakes when cured by steaming.
Easily washable, not react or get precipated by the action of chemicals, dyes
and pigments.

10. DABU BLOCK PRINT
The resist process, Dabu use wax, gum or clay mixed with resin.
With the help of brush, block or hand it is applied to the portions of the cloth
The color is then applied to it.
The wax is then washed off in hot or flowing water and color moves into the
area to give a diffused effect.
Then block printing is done on the portion of the cloth.
The fabric is highlighted by printing specific outlines and patterns.
The designs get a broken appearance due to the use of wax.

11. DABU BLOCK PRINT

12. DESIGNER
INSPIRED BY
BLOCK PRINTING

13. ALKA SHARMA

14. PARAMPARIK KARIGAR

15. PRODUCTS