Block Printing - Ahmedabad, Gujarat
The process of block printing occurs in simple steps. Though the process looks simple only an experienced person will be able to carry the process of block printing with so much ease. The design to be printed is sketched. It is needed that the image is reversed in case of usage of texts and content, the printed image will be the reverse of what is on the block. A block of wood is marked with required designs. The design that is to be printed on fabric is left and the negative space is carved out with the help of chisel and sharp pointed tool to carve out the fine details. The untouched surface, which is not chiseled, is what gets printed on fabric. The area that is not carved is the part that is going to be printed on fabric. A range of knives with very small-tipped knives for carving outlines and details, and much larger ones for cutting away the background can be used. Carving the blocks takes a lot of tolerance, because if one hand slips, it can ruin the whole piece. With training, one can learn the amount of effort it takes to carve the material, and the best techniques to use for certain designs.
The fabric is spread across the table and pinned to carry out the print process. Required amount of ink is taken in a wide container and with the help of roller it is spread evenly where it gets easy to dip the block and get even quantity of ink on the block to print. The block is now placed on the fabric to transform the image from the block onto the fabric. It takes time to carve out the design that is needed to print. For a small piece of work it takes an hour of carving the wood block. The time consumed to carve a block depends on the details and the size of the design need to be printed. Once the block is ready any number of prints can be obtained. Multi-color prints can also be worked. Multiple blocks are used with differing colors. Sometimes it is over printed, which will further give colors, secondary, and tertiary colors. Block print results much bolder than the other types of printmaking as they are carved by hand. Small knife is used to carve more details and complete minute carving. Basic colors are used and the colors appear very much subtle on fabric. A good combination of colors when printed in this method gives best results. Numerous prints and design patterns can be obtained with this method. Fabric of various lengths are spread across the table and printed. Multicolor prints and various designs enhance the fabric and make them look startling. Printed fabric are dried in shade and washed to make the colors settle. Later the fabric is packed for sale.
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