AJRAKH - Block Printing

Ajrakh is a type of block printing. One of the main colors used in this textile art is blue. This print is often a jaal or a web-like pattern with a backdrop color of deep red. It is a double-sided print with identical patterns on both sides. 

Natural dyes are used to create Ajrak artisan items. Vegetable and mineral dyes are used in the entire creation of the items. The main dye is indigo.

Ajrak is the traditional name for a fabric that has been block printed with symmetrical designs and interspersed unprinted sparkling white motifs over a backdrop of deep crimson red and indigo blue.

Given that one of the primary colours used in Ajrak printing is blue, it is possible that the term "Ajrak" derives from the Arabic word "Azrak," which means "blue."

Ajarak printing is a protracted procedure that involves several printing steps and repeatedly washing the fabric with different natural dyes and mordants.The cloth is made in sixteen step process of washing, dyeing, printing, & drying with one step being performed in one day and the fabric being put to rest for the day.

The popular story among local practitioners is that AJRAKH means "KEEP IT TODAY" . 

A process known as resist printing is used to print the authentic Ajrak on both sides. The printing is done by hand using hand carved wooden blocks. To create the unique repetitive patterns, many blocks are used. Making the blocks is a significant difficulty because the pattern must completely match the entire Ajrak and protect diverse regions against dye.

The resist printing method stops a dye from absorbing on sections that are meant to be left uncolored and only allows a dye to be absorbed in the desired places. The raw cloth is drawn repeatedly and thoroughly through the river, beaten, steamed, mordanted, printed with resist mud pastes from the riverbanks, covered in powdered camel dung and ground rice husks, and coloured in deep madder and indigo. In Ajrak block printing, the fabric is first printed with a resist paste before being dyed, unlike other printing methods that apply the colour straight to the fabric.

The center jaal or web-like motif created by the repeated pattern of the Ajrak print is used within a grid. In addition to this jaal, the fabric also features border patterns. These boundaries, which frame the core area and are lined both vertically and horizontally, set each ajrak apart from the others. To clearly differentiate the border design, the lateral ends are printed with a wider, double margin.