Artisan hand block printing fabric with carved wooden block at the Anushree workshop in Jaipur

The Art of Slow Fashion

WHAT IS
hand BLOCK PRINTING

One of the world's oldest and most enduring textile arts, hand block printing transforms plain cloth into something quietly extraordinary ~ one impression at a time.

Elderly artisan seated with carved wooden printing blocks at block printing workshop
Shelves of hand-carved wooden printing blocks stored at block carving workshop
Dye paste tray with mixed colours ready for block printing

PRINTED BY HAND, block by block

Every single Daughters of India garment is printed by hand using the traditional art form of block printing. This centuries-old craft has been passed down through generations of artisan families in Rajasthan, India.

Hand block printing is the art of pressing carved wooden blocks onto fabric to create patterns. It is a deceptively simple description for a process that demands years of training, an intuitive understanding of colour and pressure, and a patience that most modern manufacturing has long since abandoned.

The printer stands before a long table, sometimes ten metres or more, draped with cloth that has been washed, treated, and stretched taut. In one hand, a block of Indian rosewood ~ carved with a single element of a larger design. The block is pressed into a tray of colour, then placed onto the fabric with careful precision. A firm strike of the fist on the back of the block transfers the dye. Then the block lifts, moves a few centimetres along, and the process repeats.

This is how every Daughters of India garment begins its life. Not with a machine, not with a screen, but with human hands and carved wood and colour mixed that morning.

HOW IT works ~ THE ESSENTIALS

01

The Blocks

Printing blocks ~ known as bunta in Hindi ~ are carved from Shisham, or Indian rosewood. This wood is favoured for its fine, tight grain, which holds intricate detail without splintering, and its durability. A well-made block, soaked periodically in mustard oil to prevent cracking, can last for decades. Each block carries one element of the overall design. A simple pattern might require just two blocks ~ one for the outline and one for a fill colour. A complex design can require six or more blocks, each carrying a different part of the pattern in a different colour. Our Block Carvers page tells the story of the master craftspeople who create these remarkable tools.

02

The Dye

Dye is mixed fresh and spread onto a tray padded with layers of cloth ~ the gaddi. This pad acts as a reservoir, ensuring the block picks up an even layer of colour with each dip. Colour mixing is itself a skill, requiring an understanding of how dyes behave on different fabrics and how colours shift during washing and drying.

03

The Printing

Fabric is stretched across long printing tables and secured. The printer dips the block into the dye tray, positions it on the cloth, and strikes the back with a closed fist to transfer the colour evenly. Working left to right, top to bottom, the printer builds the pattern impression by impression. Registration ~ the alignment of multiple blocks and colours ~ is achieved through small pins (tikki) set into the corners of each block, along with the printer's trained eye. For a full step-by-step guide, visit our How Block Printing Works page.

04

Washing and Drying

Once printed, the fabric is washed to remove excess dye and set the colours. The cloth is then laid out in the Rajasthani sun to dry naturally. This process softens the fabric and deepens the colour, giving the cotton its distinctive hand-feel and the subtle variations that make each piece unique.

05

The Beauty of Imperfection

Each block-printed textile carries within it a subtle irregularity. The pressure of the printer's hand varies. The amount of dye on the block shifts from impression to impression. The grain of the wood, the humidity of the air, the temperature of the dye ~ all of these leave their mark. The result is a fabric that breathes in a way that machine-printed textiles simply cannot. Patterns have depth. Colours have warmth. Edges have a softness that feels organic rather than engineered. These are not flaws. They are signatures ~ evidence that a human being stood over this cloth and gave it their attention.

“Every single Daughters of India piece is printed by hand using one of the most ancient art forms in the world. It is not the fastest way to make clothing. It is not the cheapest. But it is, we believe, the most honest.”

Daughters of India

Artisan hands pressing carved block onto fabric during block printing

WHY BLOCK PRINTING matters

In a world where a digital printer can reproduce any pattern on fabric in seconds, the question is fair: why does hand block printing still matter? The answer lies in what the process leaves behind ~ and what it refuses to take away.

Each block-printed textile carries within it a subtle irregularity. The pressure of the printer's hand varies. The amount of dye on the block shifts from impression to impression. The grain of the wood, the humidity of the air, the temperature of the dye ~ all of these leave their mark. The result is a fabric that breathes in a way that machine-printed textiles simply cannot. Patterns have depth. Colours have warmth. Edges have a softness that feels organic rather than engineered.

These are not flaws. They are signatures ~ evidence that a human being stood over this cloth and gave it their attention.

Daughters of India artisans inspecting block-printed Nora dress in Primrose colourway at Anushrees facility, showcasing quality control of handcrafted Indian textiles

AN ancient ART FORM

Block printing is one of the oldest methods of textile decoration known to humanity. Archaeological evidence from Mohenjo-daro, part of the Indus Valley civilisation, suggests that printed textiles existed in the Indian subcontinent as far back as 2500 BCE. Fragments of cloth bearing printed patterns have been found alongside the tools that may have created them.

For over four thousand years, this craft has been practised, refined, threatened, and revived. It survived Mughal courts, European colonisation, the industrial revolution, and the rise of fast fashion. It endures today in the hands of artisan communities across India, particularly in Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh. The fact that the basic technique ~ carved block, dye, cloth, pressure ~ has remained essentially unchanged speaks to something fundamental about its rightness.

You can explore this remarkable timeline in depth on our History of Block Printing page.

Two Indian artisans at Anushrees Facility inspecting a bolt of pink block-printed cotton fabric used in Daughters of India's Nora Mini Dress, demonstrating quality control in the handcrafted textile production process

India remains the world's heartland of hand block printing, with several distinct regional traditions developed over the centuries ~ each with its own aesthetic, techniques, and cultural significance.

WHERE BLOCK PRINTING lives TODAY

S

Sanganer & Bagru

Sanganer's fine floral motifs on light backgrounds, and Bagru's bold geometric patterns with mud-resist techniques ~ two traditions from Rajasthan. Sanganer printing is characterised by precision, intricate detail, and a luminous quality. Bagru takes a different approach ~ earthy tones and a distinctive use of mud-resist techniques.

A

Ajrakh

Practised in Gujarat and Sindh, Ajrakh printing is perhaps the most technically demanding of all block printing traditions. It involves multiple stages of resist-dyeing and printing, sometimes requiring over twenty separate steps to achieve its characteristic deep indigo and red patterns.

B

Bagh & Kalamkari

Bagh printing from Madhya Pradesh, Kalamkari from Andhra Pradesh, and numerous other regional traditions each contribute to India's vast and varied block printing heritage.

Did you know?

In the 17th and 18th centuries, hand block-printed Indian textiles ~ known in Europe as "chintz" ~ became so wildly popular that both France and England banned their import. France prohibited Indian printed cottons in 1686, with penalties including imprisonment and even death for repeat offenders. England followed with its own ban in 1720. These bans, which lasted decades, were designed to protect domestic textile industries from the sheer desirability of Indian handcraft. The fact that governments felt compelled to outlaw a fabric speaks volumes about the quality and beauty of hand block-printed cloth. You can read the full story on our Chintz Trade page.

Indian artisans at Anushrees Facility surrounded by pink block-printed cotton textiles for Daughters of India, showcasing the finishing stage of handcrafted textile production

WHY DAUGHTERS OF INDIA CHOOSES block printing

Daughters of India exists because of block printing. It is not a technique we adopted for its aesthetic appeal alone, though its beauty is undeniable. It is the foundation upon which everything else is built ~ our relationships with artisan communities, our commitment to ethical production, our belief that clothing can be made with integrity.

Our garments are handmade in India by skilled artisans who have often inherited their craft through generations. The blocks used to print our fabrics are carved from Shisham wood by master carvers. Our dyes are eco-friendly and AZO-free, chosen for both their colour quality and their reduced environmental impact.

We believe that understanding how your clothes are made changes how you feel about wearing them. A hand block-printed dress is not just a garment. It is a connection ~ to the hands that made it, to a tradition that spans millennia, and to a way of making things that honours both people and craft.

Stacked hand-carved wooden printing blocks stored at a block printing workshop in Rajasthan
Artisan hand-carving a wooden printing block at a Sanganer block carving workshop
Woman artisan Premlata hand block printing a Jasmine pattern onto fabric at the workshop

BLOCK PRINTING AND slow fashion

Hand block printing is, by its very nature, slow. A single printer working a full day might complete enough fabric for just a few garments. There is no way to rush the process without compromising the result. The dye needs time to absorb. The fabric needs time to dry between colour passes. The printer needs time to maintain the rhythm and precision that produces a beautiful, even print.

This pace sits at the heart of what slow fashion means. When you choose a hand block-printed garment, you are choosing something that was made at the speed of human attention rather than the speed of industrial output. You are supporting a mode of production that values skill over automation, that provides meaningful employment to artisan communities, and that produces textiles with a character and quality that machines cannot replicate.

At Daughters of India, every piece passes through a six-step quality control process after printing: thread cutting, measurement checks, print and stitch review, hand wash and sun dry, colour variation assessment, and steaming for final presentation. This is not efficiency. This is care. Learn more about the relationship between handcraft and mindful consumption on our What is Slow Fashion? page.

Hand block printing is inherently low-energy, requiring no electricity for the printing process itself. When paired with eco-friendly dyes (such as the AZO-free dyes used by Daughters of India) and responsible water management practices, it represents one of the most sustainable methods of textile decoration available.

QUICK facts

01

How old is block printing?

Evidence of block-printed textiles dates back to approximately 2500 BCE, found at the Indus Valley site of Mohenjo-daro. This makes block printing over 4,500 years old ~ one of the oldest decorative textile techniques in the world.

02

What are printing blocks made from?

Traditional Indian printing blocks are carved from Shisham wood (Indian rosewood), prized for its tight grain and durability. The blocks are periodically soaked in mustard oil to prevent the wood from drying and cracking. A well-maintained block can be used for decades.

03

How many blocks does one design need?

It depends on the complexity of the design and the number of colours. A simple two-colour pattern may need just two blocks, while intricate multi-colour designs can require six or more. At Daughters of India, our Kyra and Sahana prints typically use two blocks, while our Jasmine designs require up to six.

04

Why do hand block-printed fabrics vary?

Every impression is made by hand, so natural variations in pressure, dye saturation, and alignment occur. These variations are considered a hallmark of authenticity ~ evidence that the cloth was made by a person, not a machine. No two pieces are ever identical.

05

Where is block printing practised today?

India remains the global centre of hand block printing, with major traditions in Rajasthan (Sanganer, Bagru), Gujarat (Ajrakh), Madhya Pradesh (Bagh), and Andhra Pradesh (Kalamkari). Smaller block printing traditions also exist in Japan, Indonesia, Nigeria, and parts of Central Asia.

Handmade pieces for every chapter of life

WEAR THE craft

Every Daughters of India garment carries the energy and intention of the artisan who made it. When you wear our pieces, you carry a piece of this ancient tradition with you.

Shop All Styles

Watch the art of hand block printing ~ each impression placed by hand, one at a time

Explore Further

THE WORLD OF block printing

Artisan hands pressing a carved wooden block onto fabric to create a Charcoal Jasmine pattern

A Living History

Trace the craft from the Indus Valley to the present day ~ over 4,500 years of printed textiles.
Close-up of artisan hands carving an intricate floral pattern into a wooden printing block

The Art of the Block Carver

Meet the master craftspeople who carve intricate designs into blocks of Indian rosewood.
Freshly block-printed Kyra Maxi fabric with delicate Sanganer floral pattern on the printing table

The Sanganer Tradition

The delicate, floral printing style behind every Daughters of India garment.
Block printing workshop with artisans hand printing fabric at long tables under natural light

Block vs Machine Printing

What's lost when craft gives way to automation ~ and why handmade matters more than ever.
Explore All Craft Pages
Shipping & Returns

Our slow fashion garments are handcrafted in India and shipped to you from our warehouse in Australia.

We endeavour to process your order within 1–3 business days. Orders are shipped via Australia Post. You’ll receive a tracking number by email once your order ships.

Delivery Cost
Standard Shipping · 3–7 business days $12
Express Shipping · 2–4 business days $22
Orders over $300 Free


All prices in NZD. No additional duties or taxes to pay on delivery. You can find our full shipping policy here.

We want you to love your Daughters of India piece. If it’s not quite right, we offer exchanges and store credit within 30 days of shipment.

  • Exchanges: Need a different size? We’re happy to exchange for the correct size. Lodge your exchange through our Returns Portal.
  • Store credit: If you’d prefer a different style, we’ll issue a Daughters of India Gift Card for the full value. Your credit never expires and can be used on any piece, including new collections.
  • Items must be returned in original condition — unworn, unwashed with tags attached, folded neatly in the Daughters of India tote bag provided.
  • Returns are accepted within 30 days from shipment. Unfortunately we are unable to honour a return outside of the 30 day return period.
  • Return shipping is at the customer’s expense. We recommend using NZ Post with tracking for a safe return.
  • Refunds are processed within 5–7 business days of receiving the return.
  • No returns, store credits, or exchanges on final sale items.

You can find our full returns policy here.

Shipping & Returns

Our slow fashion garments are handcrafted in India and shipped to you from our warehouse in Australia.

We endeavour to process your order within 1–3 business days. Orders are shipped via Australia Post. You’ll receive a tracking number by email once your order ships.

Delivery Cost
Standard Shipping · 3–7 business days $12
Express Shipping · 2–4 business days $22
Orders over $300 Free


All prices in NZD. No additional duties or taxes to pay on delivery. You can find our full shipping policy here.

We want you to love your Daughters of India piece. If it’s not quite right, we offer exchanges and store credit within 30 days of shipment.

  • Exchanges: Need a different size? We’re happy to exchange for the correct size. Lodge your exchange through our Returns Portal.
  • Store credit: If you’d prefer a different style, we’ll issue a Daughters of India Gift Card for the full value. Your credit never expires and can be used on any piece, including new collections.
  • Items must be returned in original condition — unworn, unwashed with tags attached, folded neatly in the Daughters of India tote bag provided.
  • Returns are accepted within 30 days from shipment. Unfortunately we are unable to honour a return outside of the 30 day return period.
  • Return shipping is at the customer’s expense. We recommend using NZ Post with tracking for a safe return.
  • Refunds are processed within 5–7 business days of receiving the return.
  • No returns, store credits, or exchanges on final sale items.

You can find our full returns policy here.

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