The tradition of block printing started in Gujarat, India in the 12th century. This form of print making then spread throughout other parts of the country including Rajasthan and West Bengal.

Here are the steps they use to create beautiful printed textiles used for clothing, bedding, pillows and rugs according to india-crafts.com

The fabric to be printed is first washed free of starch.
If tie-dyeing is required, this is done before the printing process. Incase fabric is dyed, it is washed thereafter, to remove excess color. It is dried in the sun.
The fabric is then stretched over the printing table and secured with pins.
Color is mixed separately and kept ready. So are the blocks. The blocks are made of teak wood and hand-carved. They are soaked in oil for 10-15 days to soften the timber.
The color is kept in a tray which rests on another tray that contains a liquid made of glue and pigment binder. This gives the color a soft base and permits even spreading of color on the block.
When printing begins, the color is first evened out in the tray. Then the block is dipped in the outline color.
The block is pressed down hard on the fabric, to make a clear impression. Thereafter, other blocks are used to fill in color.
Once the fabric is printed, it is dried in the sun. It is then rolled in newspaper to prevent the fabric layers from sticking to each other.
The fabric is then steamed.
Thereafter, it is washed in water and dried in the sun.
Ironing is the last stage.

I absolutely love each of the block print rugs that have come into the shop. Each is so different from the next with their special colors and patterns. I hope you enjoy them too!

ISSUE 78: About Indian Block Print Rugs