Wooden Block:
These blocks are usually made on teak or seesham wood. Artisans make sure that the wood is seasoned and then carve the motifs on it. The design are first printed on paper and stuck on the block of wood. Artisan, then start carving the wood with steel chisels, of different widths and cutting surface. The motifs are carved on the base while the top has a handle. These handles are either carved out from the same wood or by a low cost wood attached to the surface with the help of nail. Blocks made are of rectangular, square, oval, semi-circular, circular etc. shape. Once the block is made it is soaked in oil for 10-15 days to soften the grains. The life of these block are approximately 600-800 meter of printing. The outline blocks are called as rekh and the filler blocks are called as datta.
Metal Block:
For making intricate patterns and getting high level of clarity in prints metal blocks are used. These blocks are made by engraving thin sheets of evenly cut metal strips into the wooden blocks. The metal strips are beaten to make them thin and then strips are cut of even length. The design is drawn on the wooden block and the metal strips are pressed onto the design by gentle hammering. Filling of the designs is done from center to outside. Once made the blocks are checked to see the strips are of the same height from the wooden base. Metal blocks are costly, time consuming but long lasting.
Color Plates:
Colors used for printing are kept in a wooded tray called as saaj. Once the color is poured into the tray wire mesh is placed inside. This mesh is covered with a piece of felt. Felt soaks the color and finally a fine cotton/malmal cloth is placed on the felt. This preparation helps in proper application of color on the block.
Printing Table
Tray Trolley
Scale
Chalk
Brushes
Tambadi
Mogari
Kotan (Wooden mallet)
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