Our Crafts

Block Printing

Mar 22, 2025

Block printing, an ancient textile art dating back over 2,000 years, has flourished across Asia, with Bangladesh embracing it as a cornerstone of its artistic heritage. This meticulous craft, practiced in regions like Narayanganj, Dhaka, Rangpur, and Manikganj, involves carving intricate designs onto wooden blocks and imprinting them onto fabric, creating timeless patterns that tell cultural stories. Aarong has been instrumental in preserving and modernising block printing, ensuring its sustainability through the Ayesha Abed Foundation (AAF) centres nationwide. The Manikganj AAF houses a Block Printing Library, where every design ever used is preserved, serving as an invaluable archive of craftsmanship. Sustainability remains at the heart of Aarong’s approach, with artisans using natural dyes from plants, minerals, and organic sources to create vibrant, enduring colours while minimising environmental impact. Beyond its aesthetic appeal, block printing embodies Bangladesh’s rich heritage, artisanal excellence, and the resilience of its craftspeople, ensuring this age-old tradition thrives in the contemporary world.

Let’s delve into the craftsmanship of block printing with this video:

Explore block printing: www.aarong.com/gifts-crafts/textile-crafts/block-printing

Source edition | Our Crafts