Block Printing

An important phase in textile production is chapai, i.e. block printing. Evidence suggests that block printing in India dates back to the 12th century supplemented by a robust trade economy. Thappa chapai employs the use of hand-carved wooden blocks to create an array of designs. In the Sanganeri traditions of block printing, a rekh, an outline block is used to create the design which is filled in later using datta, filler block.  After drying the cloth is washed in a paste of water and cattle excreta that oxidizes and cleans the non-colour areas. The block printing market had been affected by the machine-made screen-printing products. Being faster to produce and significantly cheaper.