How to Block Print Fabric

Some designs produced with block printing.

Block printing is a traditional Indian way of decorating textiles. It has become widely used because it is an uncomplicated method that creates vibrant, colorful patterns. Chemical and artificial colors have replaced the traditional natural dyes used in block printing. The principal tints are red, yellow, blue and saffron. Block printing can be manufactured, but here we offer step by step instructions to decorate your own fabrics by hand block printing.

Things You'll Need

• Pencil
• Tracing paper
• Carbon paper
• Permanent marker
• Linoleum blocks (about 5 mm)
• Carving tool (a craft knife)
• Brayer (a small roller for inking)
• Color ink
• Ink tray
• Solid color fabric
• Iron and ironing board

Instructions

1. Draw your design or place tracing paper over the design you wish to reproduce, and outline the design with a pencil.

2. Trace the design onto a linoleum block using carbon paper, and go over the lines with a permanent marker.

3. Etch out the negative areas on the linoleum with carving tools.

4. Repeat this process on other linoleum blocks for different elements of your design, if your pattern requires it.

5. Using a brayer, apply ink on your linoleum block.

6. Stamp the design onto the right side of your fabric. Continue to ink the linoleum block as necessary.

7. Ink and stamp your other linoleum blocks for different elements of your design, if your design calls for it.

8. Let the ink dry overnight.

9. Iron your fabric to set the ink.

Tips & Warnings

• If the design you wish to use is simple, you can draw it directly on the linoleum. If it's something that needs to be seen in a certain direction (like letters) you will need to reverse the design when you copy it onto the linoleum. Thick linoleum can be hard to cut, especially if it is cold. You can use an iron on a low heat setting to warm linoleum if it gets too hard to cut. You can use this method to embellish fabric or you can decorate fabric items that are already assembled such as a skirt or a tablecloth.