Block printing is a renowned method with which you can print patterns on textiles. This can be achieved with the help of wooden or linoleum blocks. If you are block printing on fabrics at home in 2025, you need to carve each single block by hand before you dip it in dye and stamp it onto your fabric. This first started in China and became popular in India during the Mughal dynasty. If you have interest in fashionable fabric that is sustainable in nature or traditional crafts, you can try block printing with plant-based inks or blocks that are laser cut or patterns that are digitally transferred.
Materials that you would Require
Firstly, you need printing blocks that can be of wood, linoleum and rubber. You need fabric paint or block printing ink, foam pad, felt mat, sponge, masking tape, ruler, chalk, pencil, iron, board etc. You also need some kind of plain and natural fabric like cotton, linen, muslin, khadi or hemp. You need a tray to roll paint.
Try to avoid using any synthetic fabrics like polyester or lycra because other than being ecologically harmful, they do not absorb the color well and this may lead to smudging. Block printing on fabrics at home in 2025 is a tedious yet rewarding task. You have to wash your fabric before you use it so that there is no starch or shrinking. This will also help in improving the paint adherence. Also, dry and iron the fabric to create a surface that is smooth.
The Main Process to DIY
At first, you need to set up your printing station by covering your table with newspaper. Put a foam pad underneath your fabric so that the pressure is even. Use masking tape to fix the fabric in place. You can use a disappearing ink pen to sketch your layout. You must be sure about the border, the central motif and the repeating pattern.
The most important part is to use a roller to spread paint onto the block and please make sure that the paint covers the raised areas very smoothly. Then you must align the block, press it down firmly and do NOT rock it and lift it up straight so that there is zero amount of smudging. Before trying it out on the main cloth, it would be good to try it on scrap fabric.
Now all you need to do is repeat the pattern by reapplying paint after two prints and allow parts of the designs to overlap so that it has a handmade look.
Additional Useful Tips
Once your fabric is dry, iron the fabric on the reverse side using a medium amount of heat. If you are ironing it directly, make use of a thin, cotton cloth. This allows the paint to seal and makes it good enough for washing. After this is done, make sure that you wash your tools as soon as possible with hot water and soap. After three days, you should wash the fabric gently with cold water and hand wash.
In conclusion, block printing on fabrics at home in 2025, will allow you to design your own clothes and cushion covers with bedsheets. It will help in avoiding synthetic dyes that have harmful chemicals in them or contributing in processes that are pollution-heavy. The best thing is that it is not an extremely expensive investment; after you buy some basic tools, you can do the rest with minimal costs. Moreover, many people have reported that it helps them enhance their creativity and is a therapeutic activity which makes them feel mindful.
Author
Shreeja Mukherjee