The LSC Design Panel:
PRINTING SURVEY
Option 1: Block Printing
Hand-Printed: For seven generations, this community has used hand-made teak blocks and plant extracts to print fabric.
Naturally-dyed: The printers we work with are some of the last keepers of the recipes used to print fabric using natural dye pigments extracted from plants. As other block printing communities have transitioned to synthetic dyes, these specific artists have maintained traditional practices.
Reflection of the Weather: After printing, the printers lay the fabric out on the desert sand to sun-cure. If rain comes, it will mark the print, so will sand during windstorms. The printers do a careful dance with the weather to get calm, clear days.*
* Note: Summer is monsoon season. Often, block printers aren’t able to cure the fabric for weeks on end, causing a delay in production of this fabric. In other words, the fabric might not be ready when your membership is over.
Option 2: Digital Printing Diversity: Unlike block printing, which is limited in the quantity of colors and detail, digital printing allows us to create detailed, colorful prints.
Low-impact: ____ Need info from Nish____
Recycled: All the wastewater used in the digital printing process is cleaned and recycled back into the system. It is an inherently low-water printing method, but we are grateful the water that is used is not wasted.
Option 3: Yarn-Dyed Dyed with plants or minerals: Natural dye gurus use leaves, roots, berries, and soil minerals to transform natural cotton yarn into vibrant colors. The diverse geography and ecosystems of India allow for a plethora of flora to grow there, including the most potent natural dyes.
Woven-in: The dyed yarn allows handweavers to do what they do best: weave intricate, unique patterns. They set up their loom to create a certain design, and as they intertwine the yarns, it comes to life.
Naturally-dyed: The printers we work with are some of the last keepers of the recipes used to print fabric using natural dye pigments extracted from plants. As other block printing communities have transitioned to synthetic dyes, these specific artists have maintained traditional practices.
Reflection of the Weather: After printing, the printers lay the fabric out on the desert sand to sun-cure. If rain comes, it will mark the print, so will sand during windstorms. The printers do a careful dance with the weather to get calm, clear days.*
* Note: Summer is monsoon season. Often, block printers aren’t able to cure the fabric for weeks on end, causing a delay in production of this fabric. In other words, the fabric might not be ready when your membership is over.
Option 2: Digital Printing Diversity: Unlike block printing, which is limited in the quantity of colors and detail, digital printing allows us to create detailed, colorful prints.
Low-impact: ____ Need info from Nish____
Recycled: All the wastewater used in the digital printing process is cleaned and recycled back into the system. It is an inherently low-water printing method, but we are grateful the water that is used is not wasted.
Option 3: Yarn-Dyed Dyed with plants or minerals: Natural dye gurus use leaves, roots, berries, and soil minerals to transform natural cotton yarn into vibrant colors. The diverse geography and ecosystems of India allow for a plethora of flora to grow there, including the most potent natural dyes.
Woven-in: The dyed yarn allows handweavers to do what they do best: weave intricate, unique patterns. They set up their loom to create a certain design, and as they intertwine the yarns, it comes to life.