The way a pattern reaches a fabric changes everything: the quality, the durability, the environmental impact, and the character of the piece.
When you discover a printed fabric, the first question is rarely a technical one. You look at the pattern, you touch the material, you wonder if it will go with the sofa. At Kirane, we have chosen artisanal block print. Here is why.
Block print: a millennia-old craft
Block print, or woodblock printing, is one of the oldest textile printing techniques in the world. Practised for over 4,000 years, it reached its peak in India, in the regions of Rajasthan and Gujarat. The cities of Jaipur, Sanganer and Bagru are world-renowned for the quality of their production.
The principle is simple but demanding: an artisan meticulously carves a block of hardwood (teak, rosewood or sheesham) to create the pattern in relief. This block, called bunta in Hindi, is then dipped in dye and pressed by hand onto the stretched fabric. The finest lines are less than a millimetre wide. A quality block can last 20 to 30 years and print over 50,000 metres of fabric in its lifetime.
Each complex pattern requires several blocks: one for the outlines, one for the fill, one for the details. An experienced artisan applies several hundred impressions per day to cover a single metre of fabric. It is a work of precision and endurance, carried out in our workshops in Jaipur by artisans who have practised this craft for generations.
Screen printing and digital printing
Screen printing is the most widespread textile printing technique in the industry. A fine mesh screen is stretched over a frame, and ink is pushed through the open areas of the stencil using a squeegee. The industrial version uses rotary machines capable of producing hundreds of metres per hour.
Digital printing, a more recent development, works like a giant inkjet printer. A computer file is transferred directly onto the fabric, allowing patterns with photographic precision. It is the preferred technique for small runs or highly complex patterns in an industrial setting.
These two methods share a common advantage: perfect consistency. Every metre is identical to the previous one. That is also their limitation.
What makes block print different
The fundamental difference comes down to one word: the hand. And that hand leaves traces — intentional and beautiful.
Subtle variations. Each stamp impression produces slight differences in ink thickness, pressure and alignment. These micro-variations are what make every piece unique. On a Kirane cushion, the pattern is never identical to its neighbour.
Deep pigment penetration. In artisanal block print, natural pigments penetrate deep into the fabric fibre. If you turn a block print fabric over, you will see the pattern showing through on the back. In screen printing, the ink stays on the surface.
Superior colour fastness. Precisely because artisanal dyes penetrate the fibre more deeply, they withstand repeated washing better. A block print table linen remains vibrant after dozens of machine washes.
A preserved hand feel. Block print does not alter the suppleness of the fabric. The material remains fluid, soft and natural. Digital printing and some screen printing methods deposit a layer of ink that can slightly stiffen the fabric.
The environmental impact
Artisanal block print uses natural pigments (indigo, turmeric, pomegranate, weld) or water-based dyes. The rinse water is treatable and often biodegradable. The energy consumed is essentially human: no heavy machinery, no industrial electricity.
Industrial screen printing predominantly uses plastisol inks (PVC-based) or solvent-based inks. The screen cleaning processes generate wastewater loaded with chemicals. Digital printing is cleaner but requires specific inks and significant electricity consumption.
How to recognise authentic block print
Turn the fabric over. On a genuine block print, the pattern is visible on the reverse — sometimes faded, but present. On a screen print, the reverse is white or very pale.
Examine the joins. An authentic block print shows slight misalignments between successive stamp impressions. If the pattern repeats with perfect regularity, it is probably a mechanical print.
Touch. Block print does not create any raised layer. If you can feel a layer of ink in relief, it is screen printing.
Smell. Natural pigments have a subtle earthy scent, especially on new fabric. Industrial inks give off a chemical odour.
Block print at Kirane
All our pieces are hand-printed in our Jaipur workshops, by artisans whose know-how is passed down from father to son, and increasingly from mother to daughter. Every sofa cover, every tablecloth, every pareo bears the hallmark of this artisanal production.
We work with three main techniques: direct printing for vivid, colourful patterns, the resist technique for dyed backgrounds with negative patterns, and the dabu method (a resist paste made from clay and gum) which produces the earthy tones characteristic of some of our collections.
Discover the full process in our article on block print at Kirane, and explore the world of our signature patterns such as the lotus or the Kirane x Monochromic collection.
Also explore: Sofa covers · Cushions · Tablecloths · Throws
Also read in Les Carnets Kirane
- Khadi: everything you need to know about this hand-woven Indian cotton
- How to set a bohemian chic table with artisanal linen
- How to care for hand-printed home linen
Every Kirane piece is hand-printed and handcrafted at Villa Kirane, Jaipur.
