What does handmade block printing really mean? At From, Mila, our process isn't just a buzzword; it’s a handed-down art form that brings art back into our wardrobes.
Handmade block printing is a term often thrown around loosely in the fashion world. But at From, Mila, the artisanal process behind our designs is rooted in true craftsmanship. There are no mass-production shortcuts or automated machinery here—every single piece of our slow fashion collections is brought to life by skilled hands.
From Digital Sketch to Wooden Block
From the initial sketch to the final design, our hand-block printing technique relies on a centuries-old tradition. Once a design is drawn (whether by hand or digitally in Procreate), it is meticulously hand-carved into a wooden block using a chisel. This precision is what makes our artisanal home decor and apparel so unique; if a print has five colors, it requires five separate, hand-carved blocks to create the final masterpiece.
Scientists at Play
After the blocks are carved and ready for printing, the dyes are mixed, and yes, all by hand. The artisans are so skilled in figuring out just how much of each color is needed to create the hue we want.
This meticulous color-matching is why the reds in our
bandanas are so rich, and the yellows in our
dresses are so bold and bright. They're basically scientists at play.
This oftentimes creates a lot of back and forth in the creation process because we test how the color will look in natural sunlight. Once the dye is accurate to what is envisioned, the formula is logged so we can replicate that exact shade in the future.
Where the Magic Happens
Now comes the printing process, where each block is placed by hand to create the final design. Because each color has its own block, this could result in rounds and rounds of printing, just to create the one design!
Once the design is printed, it is hung to dry before it is cut, sewn, and made ready to sell!
Why "Slow Fashion" Matters
As you can imagine, with the creation process being skill-based and requiring so much time, we can't keep up with the masses. We can't have hundreds or thousands of one print. While that can be considered a downside, we actually view it as a benefit of shopping with us. When you buy from From, Mila, you are not only getting a piece of
fashion or
home decor that was touched and crafted by hand, but also is rare and unique in its own way, because it is one of the few, and because each handmade piece is never alike. There'll always be some slight differentiation that makes what you own its own little gem.
Leave a comment