Hand Block Print Fabric Catalogue: Pattern Repeat Photography Guide
Hand block print fabric's repeat pattern, ink depth, and fabric drape are the key buying criteria. Learn how to photograph pattern repeats, cloth drape, and colour combinations for a catalogue that wins export and wholesale orders.
India's Block Printing Heritage Demands Export-Quality Catalogues
Hand block printing — Jaipur's Sanganer floral prints, Bagru's natural indigo resist, Gujarat's Ajrakh geometric patterns, Bagh print from Madhya Pradesh — is one of India's most sought-after export crafts.
International buyers from France, Italy, the USA, and Japan regularly purchase Indian hand block print fabric through IndiaMART, trade fairs, and direct supplier relationships. They make purchasing decisions based entirely on catalogue images because they cannot touch the fabric before ordering.
A professional *block print fabric catalogue* must communicate print precision, dye depth, pattern repeat size, and fabric drape quality through photography alone.
4 Mandatory Photography Shots for Block Print Fabric
1. Pattern Repeat Flat Lay (The Technical Shot) Spread 1.5 meters of fabric on a flat, clean surface. Photograph the full pattern repeat area (typically 15–25 cm for block print) from directly above, showing: - Minimum 3 full repeat cycles horizontally and vertically - Clean 90° alignment so the repeat grid is obvious - High enough resolution that individual stamp impressions are visible
This shot allows buyers to measure the repeat, assess print registration accuracy, and evaluate motif size for their end product.
2. Hand-Holding Drape Shot A model or hand holds 50 cm of fabric and allows it to drape naturally. This shows the fabric's: - **Weight and drape quality** (how it falls) - **Print visibility** on a non-flat surface (does the pattern distort on folds?) - **Colour vibrancy** in natural light
3. Close-Up of Block Impression A macro close-up of a single stamp impression showing: - The feathered edge of hand-applied ink (vs. hard edge of screen print) - Natural variation in ink density (the "fingerprint" of handmade block print) - Ink bleed and fabric absorption characteristics
This close-up is the key quality differentiator that justifies the premium price over screen-printed alternatives.
4. Colour Combination Grid For fabrics available in multiple colourways, show all combinations in a consistent flat lay grid: - Indigo + White | Rust + Natural | Black + Red | Forest Green + Beige
Block Print Fabric Catalogue Specifications | Field | Example | |-------|---------| | Print Technique | Hand Block Print — Wooden Blocks | | Dye Type | Natural Indigo / AZO-free Reactive Dyes / Discharge Print | | Fabric Base | Pure Cotton Voile 60s / Muslin / Linen Blend | | GSM | 80 GSM (voile) / 120 GSM (cotton) | | Pattern Repeat | 22 cm × 22 cm | | Width | 44 inches / 112 cm | | Available Length | Per meter / 3 meter dress piece / 6 meter suit set | | Washing | First wash: cold, separately; Colour-fast after first wash | | Certifications | GOTS Certified / OEKO-TEX / Export Quality | | Craft Region | Sanganer, Rajasthan / Bagru / Kutch, Gujarat |
Always request a digital press proof before authorizing full-volume offset print runs. This lets you inspect binding trims, staple creep, and CMYK color densities on your actual paper stock.