Vintage printing blocks from A Brunnschweiler & Co.

Some - but not all - traditional African wax print fabrics are over-printed by hand using heavy wooden printing blocks.

These vintage printing blocks date back to the 1980s and were used up until 2007 in the print works of A Brunnschweiler & Co. of Manchester, the last remaining English wax print manufacturer. Brunnschweiler now produces their ABC brand of wax prints at their subsidiary factory ATL in Akosombo, Ghana.

These blocks are made of layered plywood with a wooden handle on the back. The felted printing surface may be tinted by the last colour used.

Each block is about 3 cm / 1.3 in thick and weighs up about 1.6 kg / 3.5 lb. Dimensions vary, but most are about 20 x 40 cm / 8 x 16 in.

Not just historic artefacts: these blocks can be used!

Prices and Ordering

Per printing block: £25.00

Click images for a larger image and ordering information.