Wooden Blocks for Hand Block Printing: How Sanganer's Thappe Are Made
By Hitesh Sharma, Founder, Shree Srishti Textile, Sanganer, Jaipur · Fourth-generation hand block printer · Updated 22 October 2026
Who makes the blocks: the Batkade
Our family's book explains that block carvers are called Batkade or Kharadi – people who shape wood with the bat (adze) and kada (chisel). It calls the printer (Chhipa) and the carver a choli-daaman pair: the printer's art shows only through good blocks, and the carver's skill shows only on printed cloth.
Block making is as old as printing itself and is still done by hand by both Hindu and Muslim families. The book describes Radhaballabh Marg in Sanganer echoing with the thak-thak of carvers, and carvers from Farrukhabad in Uttar Pradesh settling here as the trade grew.
Which wood is used for printing blocks
| Wood | Source (as per the book) | Properties | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sheesham (Indian rosewood) | — | Hard and solid; deep carving takes effort, but blocks last long and don't spoil with age or colour build-up | Long production runs, chemical colours |
| Gurjan | Forests of Sawai Madhopur | Soft, easy to carve deep | Outlines (rekh) and very curvy designs |
| Sagwan (teak) | Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra | Less suited to hot regions | Occasional use |
| Aam (mango), ardu | Easily available | Swell in water | Only handles (moothe); ardu handles kept in sesame oil so they don't warp |
Carving is done only on seasoned (surni) wood, which takes 3–4 years to dry.
How a printing block is carved: 8 steps
- Cut the wood to the size of the design.
- Rub the face smooth and level with sand (reti) or sandpaper (regmaal).
- Coat it with white chalk clay (chaak mitti) and let it dry.
- Paste the drawn design or tracing paper on top.
- Transfer the outline with a pointed awl (sooya) – this is called likna.
- Carve the outline with a chisel (chheni) and form the datta or gadh areas.
- Clean the raised parts with sand.
- For bold fill blocks, drill through-holes (surakh) so no air bubbles form, and paste felt (namda) or thick cloth in hollow areas so colour lifts evenly.
Names of blocks used on the printing floor
| Block name | What it prints |
|---|---|
| Rekh | The outline of the design |
| Chirai | Inner outline in a contrasting colour |
| Datta / Gadh | Solid fill colour |
| Haasiya | Border edge |
| Boondi | Dots |
| Boota | Single motif |
| Bel | Creeper or border |
| Jaal | All-over net pattern |
| Paarcha, gola | Filler pieces and round motifs |
Sanganer blocks vs Farrukhabad and Kalamkari
- Depth: Sanganeri blocks are carved 4–5 mm deep; Farrukhabad blocks 2–3 mm.
- Motif size: Sanganeri butis are smaller and printed at closer intervals.
- Tool: Sanganer and Farrukhabad carvers use the chisel; South India's Kalamkari raises the outline by scraping, without a chisel.
Why blocks matter when you buy wholesale
The book makes a simple point: better blocks automatically mean better printing. A sharp, deep block gives clean outlines and even colour; a worn block gives smudged edges. When you check a hand block sample, look at the outline (rekh) – crisp lines with tiny natural breaks are the sign of a good block and a skilled hand. Our guide to spotting hand block vs screen print covers the other checks, and the Sanganeri printing process shows how the blocks are used.
Hand block designs you can order wholesale
Maroon Mustard Floral Jaal Suit₹730 per set · wholesale
Powder Blue Paisley Suit₹730 per set · wholesale
White Indigo Floral Buta Suit₹730 per set · wholesale
Gulabi Jaal Hand Block Bedsheet₹1,050 per set · wholesale
Neem Buta Hand Block Bedsheet₹1,050 per set · wholesale
Gulnar Buta Hand Block Bedsheet₹1,050 per set · wholesale
FAQ
Which wood is best for hand block printing blocks?
Sheesham for durability and long runs; gurjan for fine outlines and curvy designs because it is soft enough to carve deep.
How deep are Sanganeri printing blocks carved?
About 4–5 mm, deeper than Farrukhabad blocks (2–3 mm).
How many blocks does one design need?
One per colour – usually at least an outline (rekh), an inner outline (chirai) and a fill (datta) block.
Who makes block printing blocks in Sanganer?
Hereditary carvers called Batkade or Kharadi, who carve by hand with adze and chisel.
