Block Making, Design, and Motif Layout
What the exam tests
Block making, design, and motif layout questions cover design transfer, carving, wood selection, repeat planning, and the relationship between motif size and table width. You should be able to check a repeat and spot a layout error.
Core rules
- A design is drawn, corrected, traced, and transferred to the block face; the carved areas are the non-printing parts, so the design is cut in reverse.
- Seasoned wood is essential; the block is planed, sanded, oiled, and proofed before use.
- Outline blocks (rekh) print the line; fill blocks (datta) cover areas; border and buti blocks are separate.
- Repeat has two directions: along the warp and across the weft. The repeat must divide the printable width without a cut motif at the selvedge.
- Layout must allow for registration marks, selvedge, shrinkage, and the gap between motifs.
- A proof on paper or scrap cloth checks carving, repeat, and registration before bulk printing.
Worked example
A table gives 90 cm of printable width. The motif repeat is 15 cm and the design needs a 1 cm gap between repeats. Reasoning: six motifs fit exactly in 90 cm, but the gaps add 5 cm, so the design cannot fit as stated. The printer must reduce motif size, reduce the gap, or accept five repeats. This is the arithmetic the exam expects.
Traps
Do not forget that carving reverses the motif. Do not plan repeats only across the width and ignore the warp repeat. Do not proof on a different fabric from the production cloth.