BLOCK PRINTING IN INDIA

 

There are many block printing workshops in India.  These are photos from various dye studios and workshops. 

   
                           The tables are padded.

   
 This frame is used to hold the dye.  There is a bamboo rack inside that is covered with fabric it makes it easier to charge up the block with dye.

 

A block printed lungi.

                                        A block printed sari.

TANAKA NAO DYE COLOR CHARTS

                                    

 Sirius dye fabric sample card.

This is a dye originally made by Bayer 

and now distributed by Dystar.  

Syrius is a Direct dye for cellulose fibers.

Sirius color chart using both .5% and 3.0% dye strength
click to enlarge color chart. 

Procion M dyestuff fabric sample card.

Procion M are cold water reactive dyes. They are commonly used in tie dye and other textile crafts. They are were originally made by ICI Organics. The brand name is now owned by Dystar,  the patent on the dyes has expired, many manufacturers around the world now make them.

         

  Procion M color chart using both .5% and 3.0% dye strength

click to enlarge color chart. 

 

Natural dye color chart.  

In these color samples on chirimen silk the following mordants were used from left to right, click to enlarge color chart. 

Tin (suzu), ammonium acetate (arumi), sakusan do (acetic acid), chromium acetate,

potassium bichromate (juchrome), iron (tetsu).

The dyes used from top left to the bottom left are: shibuki (wild peach bark), enju (Japanese pagoda tree), Suo (sappanwood, Brazil wood), lac, fustic (Chlorophora tinctoria), quebracho tree (quebrachia), myroballun (ground nuts of the Terminalia chebula tree),  rhamnus Japonicus (Japanese buckthorn), Logwood, catechu.

                                                    NATURAL DYES ON WOOL YARN

Left hand page, click to enlarge color chart. 


 Tin mordant: First row, left to right, top to bottom, Logwood, sappan wood (suo), lac, Japanese pagoda tree (enju), Japanese buckthorn rhamnus Japonicus, shibuki (wild peach bark), Paeonia (Kogane-zome), Unknown,  damar (damarinto), gambir or katechu (katekyu), quebracho,

Aluminum acetate: Second row, top to bottom, Logwood, sappan wood (suo), lac, Japanese pagoda tree (enju), Japanese buckthorn rhamnus Japonicus, shibuki (wild peach bark), Paeonia (Kogane-zome), Unknown,  damar (damarinto), gambir or katechu (katekyu), quebracho.

Chrome:Third row, top to bottom, Logwood, sappan wood (suo), lac, Japanese pagoda tree (enju), Japanese buckthorn rhamnus Japonicus, shibuki (wild peach bark), Paeonia (Kogane-zome), Myrobalan,  damar (damarinto), gambir or katechu (katekyu), quebracho.

Iron: Fourth row, top to bottom, Logwood, sappan wood (suo), lac, Japanese pagoda tree (enju), Japanese buckthorn rhamnus Japonicus, shibuki (wild peach bark), Paeonia (Kogane-zome), Myrobalan,  damar (damarinto), gambir or katechu (katekyu), quebracho. 

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　

                                                                 

NATURAL DYES ON COTTON

The chart shows light, medium and heavy concentrations of dye.

Read the charts left to right and top to bottom, click to enlarge color chart.

Tin mordant: First row, Logwood, sappan wood (suo), Japanese pagoda tree (enju), Fustic (gereppu), shibuki (wild peach bark), Golden dye (Paeonia 'Kogane-zome), Myrobalan, Baikal Skullcap, tamarind, katechu, quebracho tree (quebrachia)

Aluminum acetate: Second row, Logwood, sappan wood (suo), lac (rakkudai), Japanese pagoda tree (enju), Buckthorn (kuroumemodoki), Fustic (gereppu), shibuki (wild peach bark), Golden dye (Paeonia 'Kogane-zome), Myrobalan, Baikal Skullcap, tamarind, katechu, quebracho tree (quebrachia).

Chrome: Third row, Logwood, sappan wood (suo), lac (rakkudai), Japanese pagoda tree (enju), Buckthorn (kuroumemodoki) , Fustic (gereppu), shibuki (wild peach bark), Golden dye (Paeonia 'Kogane-zome), Myrobalan, Baikal Skullcap, tamarind, katechu, quebracho tre.

Copper: Fourth row: Logwood, sappan wood (suo), Japanese pagoda tree (enju), Fustic (gereppu), shibuki (wild peach bark), Golden dye (Paeonia'Kogane-zome), Baikal Skullcap, tamarind, katechu, quebracho tree.

Iron: Fifth row: Logwood, sappan wood (suo), Japanese pagoda tree (enju), Fustic (gereppu), shibuki (wild peach bark), Golden dye (Paeonia 'Kogane-zome), Myrobalan, Gall nut (kibush), Baikal Skullcap, katechu (asenyaku), quebracho tree.

  For information on how to extract natural dyes and the use of the different mordants used by Japanese dyers, please refer to my post on November 3, 2009.  These charts were made by Tanaka Nao and are no longer available.  I purchased these charts in 1985 when I was on a Fulbright research grant to study Kusaki-zome (Japanese grass and tree dyes).  I post them here for all who are interested.

Tanaka Nao website a wonderful source for dyeing supplies, fabric, stencils, brushes, etc.  Go visit when in Tokyo or Kyoto, Japan.

http://www.tanaka-nao.co.jp/, Tokyo and Kyoto, Japan, order by fax only
Tokyo Tel. 03 3400 4844, Fax 03 3400 4969