How to Identify Authentic Handmade Block Print Fabrics

Blockprint textiles are a lovely embodiment of art, tradition, and craftsmanship. Dating back to the Indian city of Jaipur, block printing is an ancient process of hand-cutting designs on wooden blocks, using fabric paint for block printing, and transferring them into cloth. Whether block-printed cotton or silk fabric, every textile tells a tale in its texture and design.

However, since the rise of digital and machine-printed fabrics, it has become extremely hard to differentiate authentic hand-block-printed cotton fabric. If you do not want to settle for less, below are some essential tips to help you identify genuine handmade block prints. 

1. Search for Faint Flaws

One of the unique characteristics of handmade block print fabrics is their minute irregularities. While machine prints produce flawless patterns, authentic block prints have minute variations. This is because artists manually stamp each block into the fabric, making every piece unique.

2. Check the Front and Back of the Fabric

One fast method of determining whether fabric paint for block printing is genuine is to examine both sides of the fabric. Hand-block prints have a brighter front and a duller back. The back shows an outline of the design but is not as sharp and defined as the front.

3. Check the Texture

Hand-block-printed cotton and silk cloth will have a slightly rough texture because of dye absorption. Hold the print with your fingers softly. If you feel a slightly elevated or rough surface, it is a sign of hand work. Machine prints are smooth and even throughout.

4. Look for Dye Absorption

Hand block prints use natural dyes, which penetrate the material to a great extent, providing an organic, rich look. Screen or digital prints can actually remain on the surface of the material and not penetrate at all. Mild dye bleeding in hand prints guarantees originality.

5. Inspect Overlapping Edges

Because block printing is done by hand, there are slight misalignments at the edges of designs where overlapping occurs. This small variation adds beauty to hand-printed block print fabrics and is one of the main tell-tale signs that the fabric is actually hand-made.

6. The Smell of Natural Dyes

Hand-block printed fabrics often have an earthy, herbal aroma due to the use of organic dyes. If your fabric has a chemical or synthetic smell, it is likely to be machine-made with synthetic colors.

7. Pay Attention to Mass Production Signs

Real hand block print fabric manufacturers manufacture the prints in small quantities to maintain the highest quality level. When a wholesaler is selling a blizzard of the same overly uniform print, there is a very good chance mass-produced and not done by hand.

8. Test the Print Durability

Original block prints are more durable because the dye naturally mixes with the fabric. To check, hand-wash the fabric in cold water lightly. After some time, hand block prints will become soft, while machine prints will crack and peel off because synthetic dyes remain on the surface of the fabric.

Why Choose Authentic Hand Block Print Fabrics

●    Sustainability: Block-printed silk fabric and cotton fabric employ green dyes and natural processes, making them sustainable fashion.
●    Uniqueness: There are no copies because artisans apply every design manually.
●    Cultural Heritage: Purchase hand-block printed fabrics to support traditional crafts and local artisans.
●    Comfort: Natural dyes and organic fabric render block-printed fabric light, airy, and suitable for any time of the year.

Find Authentic Block Print Fabrics at The Printroots

If you seek hand-block print cotton fabric that exudes authenticity, heritage, and beauty, look no further than The Printroots. A pioneering handblock print cloth producer, The Printroots is a tribute to the art of Jaipur's block printing tradition in the form of well-designed and well-crafted motifs. Lovingly hand-made, each article guarantees the finest quality, eco-friendly fabric. Discover an assortment of age-old prints and give your wardrobe a touch of tradition.

Find the beauty of genuine block prints at The Printroots today.