Indian Hand Block Printing: The Art of Handmade Fabrics from Rajasthan

At Sapling Textiles, we proudly source our hand block printed textiles from Rajasthan, a region in northern India renowned for its centuries-old printing traditions. Block printing is a revered art form in India, with its origins in Jaipur dating back to the late 1700s, though it's believed to have been practiced in India since as early as the 12th century. This meticulous craft has been perfected and passed down through generations, maintaining its authenticity and charm.

Each printing block is hand-carved from durable teak wood, a process that can take up to two days to complete for a single block. Remarkably, the blocks wear out after about 800 metres of printing. To complete just 3 metres of fabric, a skilled printer will stamp the cloth up to 1,000 times, layering up to five vibrant colours. Depending on the design, anywhere from 1 to 30 blocks may be used to achieve the intricate patterns seen in garments and quilts.

The dyes used in hand block printing are hand-mixed and made from a blend of vegetable, mineral, and chemical-based ingredients, ensuring rich, lasting colour. At Sapling Textiles, we are committed to offering authentic, high-quality hand block printed fabrics that reflect the beauty of slow, sustainable craftsmanship—an approach that values careful, considered production over mass manufacturing.

We hope you will fall in love with our curated collection of hand block printed textiles as much as we enjoyed sourcing these beautiful fabrics for you.