Block printing has been around for centuries now, and it was believed to have originated in the 6th century AD China, with the Diamond Sutra print. Due to the new possibilities this invention created, this technique soon made its way into other countries worldwide. Although many of the origins are unknown about how they got to where they are, it is no doubt this invention of printing was one that revolutionized the world.
Introduction of Block Printing in India
While a majority of the printing inventions circulated around Europe and their creation of books, printing in countries such as Asia also flourished. One of these countries was India, which still to this day is prominent for its creating of fabric prints and textiles. Unlike the creation of the Gutenberg press, the origin of block printing in this country and how fabric printing came to be are unclear. Despite this, however, the first Rajasthani prints that were uncovered are believed to have dated back to the 3rd century CE in a trading town located in Syria. It was believed that the popularization of textiles at the time was due to emperor Ghengis Khan who invaded India in the early 16th century. As a result of his invasion, he gained control over the land during the Mughal Dynasty and soon patronized Indian artistry. Mughal rulers at the time followed in Khan’s footsteps, with many of them beginning to appreciate the prints of fabrics, and as a result, the textiles industry began to flourish due to the rising demand for these cloths.
The Process of Textile Printing
In order to meet the growing demands for these prints, emperors often brought Persian or Central Asian artisans, known as Karigars, back to India to host workshops. These workshops were known as Kaekhanas and were used to introduce new techniques to the local craftsmen to create the fabrics. Because the process of fabric printing was tedious, the new methods were beneficial to them. The fabric printing process often began with a block of wood where the artisans would then hand-carved detail patterns until the desired design was achieved. They would then repeat this process to create the different blocks for each element that was needed for the print. This included borders if there were any, different styles of flowers etcetera. If they were satisfied with the pattern, the dye would then be applied to the blocks and stamped onto the desired surface, often on cotton or different fabrics. After that, the print would be completed. Floral designs were common with these prints as the rulers at the time disliked abstract forms.
Although many inventions have been created over the past few centuries to produce textiles, many of these printing techniques still exist today. From book printing to fabric making, block printing made the foundations of the technology and products that exist in the present day. It is for this reason why this method of printing truly revolutionalized the world.
Sources
Gordon, and Name *. “A Brief History of Block Printing from 300CE to Modern Day.” Wild Rose, 22 Apr. 2020, wildrose.co.ke/a-brief-history-of-block-printing-from-300ce-to-modern-day/.
Person. “How a 4,000 Year Old Textile Became a Beloved-and Ubiquitous-Design Accessory.” House Beautiful, House Beautiful, 30 June 2021, www.housebeautiful.com/design-inspiration/a36742832/history-of-block-print/.
Upahar, Chinmaya. “History of Indian Block Printing: Block Printed Fabrics.” Chinmaya Upahar, 30 Apr. 2018, www.chinmayaupahar.in/blog/block-printing/.
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