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Ajrakh - The Art of Block Printing

Ajrakh - The Art of Block Printing - THULI
Thuli started with a simple mission – to embrace the harmony of tradition and innovation, offering ethical fashion that marries timeless craftsmanship with modern aesthetics.
This design note puts the spotlight on the art of block printing, a traditional textile technique at the heart of our design process.

When we design the prints for our collection, we think of new ways to give classic prints a contemporary twist. Joyful dressing is at the heart of what we do at Thuli – because we believe clothes have the power to show who we are and change the world.

 

Our designs are hand-drawn in the USA and brought to life by our talented artisans in India using traditional Ajrakh block printing techniques.

In this journal entry, we’re exploring the ancient history behind this craft and how it creates clothing that will last a lifetime.

 

What is Ajrakh ?
Ajrakh is an ancient Hand block printing technique with 16 steps, taking up to a month from start to finish. Ajrakh printing involves block printing on both sides of the cloth, creating reversible fabrics that add more depth and color to the prints.

This ancient art form dates back over 4500 years, with archaeological evidence suggesting that block printing is the oldest printing method in India.

Ajrakh’ comes from the Arabic word for blue, as indigo blue was one of the first printing colors widely used throughout India. Fast forward to today, and ajrakh block printing is still used to bring intricate patterns to life. The geometric patterns are printed onto the fabric using wooden blocks with natural mineral and vegetable dyes. The beauty of this craftsmanship is that it gives every garment a special feel with a vibrancy and quality you can’t recreate with a machine.

 

 

Celebrating Traditional Craftsmanship at Thuli

Every print in our collection is hand-drawn and hand-blocked onto pure hand-woven fabrics. We’ve chosen this method to preserve the traditional techniques and processes that make this art form unique.

Our garments continue a tradition that dates back thousands of years. We’re proud to be celebrating this traditional textile printing technique with contemporary designs.

Find out more about our journey to creating ethical fashion at Thuli by exploring our journal or shopping our latest collection online.