Block Printing Workshops in Craighall Park Offer a Hands-On Creative Escape

In a city like Johannesburg, where most weekends are spent rushing between places, experiences that slow things down a bit tend to stand out. In Craighall Park, Blocks and Hue offers exactly that through its block printing workshops.

The sessions introduce participants to block printing, a traditional textile technique rooted in Indian craftsmanship. Over the course of about three hours, attendees are guided through selecting patterns and using handcrafted wooden stamps to print onto fabric.

What makes it interesting is how hands-on it is from the start. You are not watching someone demonstrate for long stretches. You are working with the materials quite early in the session, figuring things out as you go.

What the Workshops Include

The workshops are designed for beginners, and no prior experience is needed.

Each session includes:

• Access to more than 200 handcrafted wooden block stamps
• A selection of non-toxic paints
• Step-by-step guidance throughout
• A light snack and drink

Participants choose what they want to print on during the session, including items like aprons, table runners, pillowcases, and baby bibs. You can also bring your own 100 percent cotton item if you want to personalise something.

There is a noticeable variety in what people end up making. Even when using the same tools, results do not come out identical, which is part of the process.

DIY Kits for Home Use

For those who want to continue after the workshop, Blocks and Hue also offers DIY kits starting from around R400. These include stamps, paints, and basic materials for at-home printing.

Upcoming Sessions and Details

• 25 April
• 9 May
• 23 May
• Time: 10:00 to 13:00
• Cost: R800 per person (includes materials, guidance, snack, and drink)
• Location: Under Bar, 11 Rothesay Avenue, Craighall Park, Randburg
• Bookings via Blocks and Hue Instagram page

Context

There has been a growing interest in hands-on creative workshops in Johannesburg in recent years, alongside a shift toward experience-based activities.

Similar workshops in areas like Linden and Rosebank reflect this trend, where people are increasingly choosing activities that focus on making rather than consuming.

Block printing fits into that space naturally. It is structured, creative, and social without being overwhelming.

The Bottom Line

The Craighall Park workshops offer a simple introduction to block printing in a relaxed, guided environment.

It is the kind of activity where the process matters just as much as the outcome, and most people leave with something slightly imperfect, but entirely their own.