Ink and Interval

West of Jaipur in Bagru, Rajasthan, the morning settles in slowly and the ground holds the night’s coolness. Artisans gather, spending a few minutes collecting their thoughts before preparing the colours they will use for printing that day. Long tables run the length of the space, waiting for soft swathes of fabric and the percussive movements of the printing blocks as they punctuate the surface with rich colour. The edges of the blocks are gently softened by use, while buckets of dye sit in anticipation of possibility. 

Bagru has long been known for its textile traditions, said to trace back around 350 years to when the Chhipa community settled near the Sanjaria River, which has now run dry but once provided the water needed for printing. This is where textiles company Gitto creates hand block-printed fabrics for TOAST collections each season. “We’ve been working with TOAST for more than 10 years,” says Yash Agarwal, CEO. “It’s been great for us to have a partner like TOAST to work with, where we can improve ourselves as they improve their processes.”

Yash’s role involves “interacting with the artisans, with designers, with the clients, with the production teams.” His commitment to responsible craft runs deep. “We are organic certified, we have rainwater harvesting, a water treatment facility, and solar power,” he says. 

The surrounding villages are close – fifteen to thirty minutes away – and many artisans travel to work on the free bus provided by the company. By 9.30am, colours are being mixed and briefs reviewed. Some continue a print from the day before; others begin new samples. There are two tea breaks and lunch is taken in the shade outdoors, where people gather in small groups before returning to their tables. “Our working hours are good,” Yash says. Everyone heads home at 5.30pm and receives health insurance and social security. “It’s a nice community. People have been working with us for over 10 years, 20 years.” 

Among them are Madan Shukla, who has printed with Gitto for 15 years; Vishnu Chippa, for ten; and Kailash Chand, for 12. Their experience brings a natural steadiness to the work. They now guide newer printers, especially when a complex design begins. “There are a few master artisans that know how to approach the print best,” Yash explains, deciding “which colour needs to go first, what should be the flow” of movement. When the master artisans create a sample, they work to ensure that the less experienced printers can execute the pattern to the same standard in practice.

Preparing the fabrics for each TOAST season involves a dedicated group. “All our artisans are working on TOAST for two months of the year,” Yash says. The amount of fabric printed depends on the intricacy of the design: sometimes ten metres in a day can be produced, sometimes 25. “It depends on the print.” Organic cotton cloth arrives from certified mills before being printed. The blocks used for the work are made from either metal or wood nearby by a family who have practised the craft “for four or five generations.” 

For Yash, the meaning of his work lies in its origins. “It’s what’s left of the old way of doing things,” he says. “There is such a deep history, it’s a connection to the country and its culture.” His company is committed not only to preserving craft heritage but also to looking to the future. After printing, the fabric passes through a modern curing machine powered by solar energy, a method that ensures consistency across each metre. Yash describes what came before. “Ten metres could have been baked in the sun at 12pm, but then the rest could be done at 4pm and then there could be a colour discrepancy.” The new process ensures even colour across many metres, and uses little energy. “It helps us leave less of a trace,” he says. Consistent material ensures that the product is desirable and meets the expectations of the market, supporting the livelihoods of the artisans.

As the day draws to a close, pigments are covered and the blocks put away. The printed cloth rests before moving on to be stitched into garments for TOAST on the same site. The partnership between Gitto and TOAST continues each season. For the Spring Summer 2026 collection, A Shared Table, the artisans have created block-printed pieces with patterns inspired by contemporary interpretations of summer tablecloths and chef checks. They work to keep a long tradition alive, and Yash helps to safeguard it for the future.

Words by Alice Simkins Vyce.

Photography by Anupam Diwan.