What is Hand Block Printing?

Hand block printing is a unique and mysterious art that combines the perfect balance between innovative techniques and old traditions kept alive by artisans called Chippa, who belong to a community where this profession is passed from father to son.

Fabric printed in this fashion has many qualities and has grown over the centuries into a highly skilled artisan tradition, which has produced legendary textiles for both domestic and international use.

The process begins with wooden blocks carved with intricate patterns. These blocks are dipped into natural dyes and pressed firmly onto the fabric by hand, creating repeat patterns of extraordinary beauty. Each print is slightly different, giving hand block printed fabric its distinctive, artisanal character.

At Kinnari Design Studio, we work directly with block print artisans — the Chippa community — in Jaipur, India to create our signature collections of handcrafted apparel and accessories. Each piece celebrates centuries of craft tradition.

The textiles we use are natural — cotton, silk, and khadi — and the dyes are sourced responsibly. The result is clothing that carries within it the history, skill, and artistry of a remarkable tradition.