|  The
Producers
The La Argent International block print unit is in Sanganir,
near Jaipur, Rajasthan. This is a traditional fabric production area
where block printing still survives alongside more industrial type factory
units. Our unit is run by Mr & Mrs Lal, very much a family enterprise
with their son also involved. They have great skill in interpreting
designs for block print production. Local block makers are able to produce
blocks very accurately to specification so quite ambitious designs have
been produced. The demand for block print has fluctuated, some of the
higher value export products are much less popular, on the other hand
some old fashioned designs have become highly sought after in the local
market as shalwar-kameez sets. This has meant numbers employed at the
unit also fluctuates.
Mr & Mrs Lal shifted work to this unit a few years ago from the
much smaller workshop behind their house. Over the years there has been
infrastructural improvements. Bannisters on stairways, better ventilation,
better PPE available & safety equipment, protection of electrical
facilities. The unit now has seven block printing tables in the main
workshop, a complex of baths and fires for washing and preparing cloth
and lines for drying cloth in the sun. Herbs and vegetables used for
dying can be seen growing around the compound, there are some shade
trees and toilet facilities. Overall the family situation has improved
with family members going into higher education. In the long term we
would like to see members of the family or community from Sanganir get
directly involved in managing this e-commerce project.
Unlike neighbouring azo-dye screen print units block print units like
this produce very little problematic waste. Dyes used are either vegetable
dye or safe pigments that we think can be safely released into the drains.
We keep our ears open on this. Water availability in the Sanganir area
is always an issue, sometimes cloth cannot be washed after printing
as often as we would like. So please follow the washing instructions
carefully to remove any loose dyes if you buy anything from us.
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