Traditional Indian Hand Block Printing and the Journey of Handmade Craft Today

Hand block printing is one of the most widely practised traditional crafts in India, with different regions developing their own distinctive styles over time. While the process remains broadly the same, the patterns, colours, and techniques often reflect the local traditions and materials of the communities that produce them.

One of our most popular collections is our hand block-printed tableware, traditionally made using natural dyes and cotton textiles. The technique is believed to have originated in ancient China around 2,000–4,000 years ago before spreading to other parts of Asia. In India, artisans adopted the practice and, over time, refined and elevated it into a distinct cultural art form. The craft flourished under the Mughal Empire, when block-printed textiles were favoured by emperors, and many historic centres in Gujarat and Rajasthan remain active today, with craftspeople continuing to produce these textiles using traditional methods.

During the British Raj and the Industrial Revolution, the craft struggled to compete with cheaper, mass-produced alternatives. Some centres declined and others were forced to close under colonial economic policies. However, from the late 20th century onwards, there has been renewed interest in hand block printing, supported by government craft initiatives, social enterprises, a growing desire to preserve cultural traditions, and an increasing appreciation for handmade work. Even so, significant competition remains from factory-based mass production, as the time and precision required to hand-print each pattern are often overlooked when consumers consider price.

The pieces offered at KATHAA are created in regions such as Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh, as well as parts of Bihar and Jharkhand, alongside other rural communities where traditional techniques continue to be practised within Indigenous communities. Artisans across these regions produce the napkins, tablecloths, tote bags, and other block-printed items featured on our website, and are paid an ethical wage for their work.

The process is highly time-intensive. Each piece takes, on average, around 10–12 hours to complete, with a significant portion of this time spent carving the wooden blocks used to create the patterns — a process that alone can take 5–6 hours. The traditional use of natural dyes is preserved, contributing to the depth and character of the final designs while also supporting environmentally conscious production methods.

At KATHAA, the storytelling shop of Action Village India, we offer a small selection of handmade homeware created using these traditional methods. As always, every purchase directly supports rural communities and helps preserve these craft traditions, which continue to face pressure from mass production.