Hand Block-Printing of Samba, Jammu

Samba block printing is a traditional printing technique that originated in the Samba district of Jammu and Kashmir, India. It is a type of hand-block printing that is practiced by skilled artisans using wooden blocks.

Hand block-printing of Samba follows the process of imprinting floral and geometric designs with the use of blocks and a wide variety of fast colour dye processes.

The process begins with the creation of a design, either by hand-painting or stenciling onto the fabric. Wooden printing blocks are then created with the design carefully carved into the block using specialized tools. The fabric is washed and bleached using an emulsion made from a fixed vegetable oil and an alkali, and the wooden blocks are then inked and pressed onto the fabric to create the desired pattern. The ink used for printing is typically a vegetable-based color, which is fast and durable. Before dyeing the fabric with indigo blue, those parts of the cloth that are to be reserved from it are first resisted with either a wax or mud paste, which is then removed after dyeing. The red color is obtained by using a mordant solution of alum.

The printed fabrics are used for a variety of purposes, including clothing, floor coverings, bed-sheets, quilt covers, table linen, cushion covers, and other items, and are known for their vibrant colors and intricate designs.