Dabu Printing

First the printing blocks are dipped in the alum paste and then pressed onto the fabric. The fabric is then dried in the sun. The fabric is boiled in ‘Alizarin’ and ‘Dhawdi ka phool’. The Dhawdi flower keeps the red color of ‘Alizarin’ from spreading into the printed alum. After it is boiled, the fabric is taken out and dried without washing. Once the fabric dries, it is dipped into a solution of gum and water.

This helps in the color fastening. Next step is to print with mud. The mud printed areas are smeared with wood dust. This also increases the adhesive strength of the Dabu. This is a cold dyeing process where the cloth is dipped in the indigo dye solution. ( Learn More about Dabu Printing )