---
title: "Block printing"
description: "Block printing is the hand-printing of textiles with carved wooden blocks, each block printing one colour or part of the design."
type: Glossary
url: https://teazle.art/glossary/block-printing
published: 2026-10-14
updated: 2026-10-14
author: "The Teazle editors"
---

# Block printing

*Block printing is the hand-printing of textiles with carved wooden blocks, each block printing one colour or part of the design.*

In block printing, a design is carved into a wooden block, the block is inked with dye or [mordant](https://teazle.art/glossary/mordant.md), and it is pressed onto the cloth, repeat after repeat. Multi-coloured designs need a block for each colour, registered by eye or with small pins at the corners.

## Where is it practised?

Indian block printing, in Rajasthan and Gujarat among other centres, is the best-known living tradition, including ajrakh with its deep indigo and red. European printers used blocks before engraved copper plates and rollers took over, as in [toile de Jouy](https://teazle.art/glossary/toile-de-jouy.md).


## Sources

1. [Decorating glossary: block print](https://schumacher.com/decorating-glossary). Schumacher
2. [Glossary: ajrakh](https://jameelcentre.ashmolean.org/collection/7/10236/10337). Ashmolean Museum, Yousef Jameel Centre
3. [Block printing (Q13424495)](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q13424495). Wikidata

Canonical: https://teazle.art/glossary/block-printing