Block printing & Ajrakh

The craft

Block printing & Ajrakh

A carved wooden block, a tray of colour and a steady hand. Every repeat is stamped by a person, so no two metres are ever quite the same.

  • WhereRajasthan and Gujarat
  • ToolHand-carved wooden blocks
  • ColoursNatural and earth dyes

Where it comes from

Sanganer and Bagru near Jaipur are known for fine florals and earthy prints. In Kutch, Gujarat, families in Ajrakhpur practise Ajrakh, a deep indigo-and-madder print with roots in Sindh.

How it’s made

Designs are carved into blocks of wood, usually teak. The printer dips the block in dye and presses it onto the cloth, lining up each impression by eye. Several blocks, one per colour, build up the final pattern. The fabric is then washed and dried in the sun.

Ajrakh

Ajrakh is resist printing. The cloth goes through many rounds of printing, dyeing and washing, often more than a dozen steps, using indigo, madder and other natural colours. The result is a rich, layered pattern printed on both sides.

How to spot real block print

  • Small breaks or overlaps where blocks meet
  • Slight variation in colour from one repeat to the next
  • A soft, slightly faded look that deepens with use

Care

Wash separately in cold water for the first few washes. Dry in shade to keep the colours rich.

The hands behind it

  • Ismail Khatri

    Ajrakh Printer · Bagru and Sanganer, Rajasthan · Kutch, Gujarat

    Ismail works with the intricate geometry of Ajrakh, where every block must align perfectly. From preparing the fabric to printing repeating motifs, his work demands patience and precision. For him, every layer of colour is part of a tradition worth preserving.

  • Yusuf Khatri

    Wooden Block Artisan · Bagru and Sanganer, Rajasthan · Kutch, Gujarat

    Yusuf creates the wooden blocks that give traditional printing its distinctive character. Each design begins with careful carving, where even the smallest detail matters. He takes pride in knowing that his blocks help bring another artisan's imagination to life.

  • Rukhsana Bano

    Block Printing Artisan · Bagru and Sanganer, Rajasthan · Kutch, Gujarat

    Rukhsana enjoys the beautiful rhythm of hand block printing. She works with colours, patterns and carefully aligned impressions, bringing a personal touch to every length of fabric. She believes the little variations in handmade prints are what make them special.

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