Block Printing Workshop Reviews Berlin
Atelier Māya
Atelier Māya is a Berlin-based textile print atelier dedicated to hand block printing, resist techniques, and research-led studio practice. Our work is grounded in heritage craft, responsible colour systems, and long-term material exploration.
This page is a living archive of voices from the print lab, gathered from people who came to work with their hands, engage with colour, and slow down with process. They are architects, psychologists, artists, designers, and curious makers, many encountering textile printing for the first time. Since we started Print Thinking, more than 350 people have left their words with us.
The voices here are a small selection. Many came to learn a technique. Most left talking about calm, freedom, and letting go. Each found their own #flow.
Why do we gather these voices?
Māya is built on the belief that learning unfolds through paying attention, exploring colour, repetition, and material intelligence. Most importantly, learning happens when we allow ourselves to colour outside the lines and when we give ourselves time to explore our creative selves.
Our studio sessions do not aim for results or perfection. Instead, these creative sessions offer space to observe, experiment, and develop a deeper relationship with hand print processes and colour behaviour. Experimentation is trusting the self, which is where it starts. The letting go is where the magic happens.
The voices gathered here speak to our creative approach. They describe shifts in focus, moments of calm, creative confidence, and a renewed relationship to making. These experiences cannot be reduced to outcomes alone; the journey is in the slow making, in the flow.
What returns again and again, if we listen…
These patterns reflect the values that shape Atelier Māya’s way of working.
Across the field notes, certain themes recur:
- Slowing down and sustained focus
- The appreciation of generous, grounded guidance and thoughtful pacing
- Care for materials, tools, and colour
- Freedom to experiment without pressure
- A sense of deep connection to our creative process, the space, place, and practice
The Voices from the Print Lab
“I’ve always been attracted to crafts that are connected with traditions.”
“I wanted to understand the process and all the steps that lead to a finished piece.” — Silvia
“It’s great to work together with everyone at a big table, because that is inspiring.”
“I learned a lot about the different fabrics and colours.” — Sabrina
“I’m here because I wanted to do something creative with my own hands again finally.”
“Free the mind kind of session. I’m surprised how good my Sunday morning went (and how nice people can be).” — Sarah
“I was excited to create something with my own hands.”
“It made me happy to do something creative and slow down for a while.” — Sara
“It kept me thinking about psychology, patterns, narratives and symbols.”
“You actually make it easier for us to let go.” — Anna
“I learned that colours and forms — even simple combinations — can produce many beautiful things.”
“Meditation — I forgot everything and simply enjoyed the work.” — Jasmina
“Challenging perfectionism and letting the unexpected happen.”
“I felt inspired, at peace with myself. I don’t have to control everything to create something.” — Luisa
“I discovered printing on coarse linen and I will definitely continue experimenting.”— Anja
“I am excited to let myself go and follow my creativity. I am excited to make something new, mine and unique for me.”
“Free and totally inspired. That just one block print could create a new world!”— Serena
“Get my hands dirty & try working with colors & textile.”
“I feel I have really created something! It was incredible playing with colors & textile. I really liked how warm you are towards everyone; I really felt welcomed!” — Raghu
“To let my creativity flow and try new things without needing them to be perfect. Also: developing new patterns.”
“Calm, inspired, feeling empowered and creative. How much you can do with very little material.” — Chiara
“I would like to understand/learn the techniques.”
“I feel very inspired. Interesting to see the possibilities during the process and how many ideas I have.” — Birgit
“Printing a variety of patterns and I would like to get a new creative spark. I feel like I have gotten too comfy in my known ways.”
“It was very inspiring and I was able to discover different techniques in a very short amount of time.” — Nicole
“I’m looking forward to learn to print and how to combine the two crafts.”
“I feel very happy and relaxed. I was surprised how many more ways to design and play with color, fabric and design, as well as the different ideas each of the participants had.”— Magdalena
“I want to feel inspired and accomplish a sense of play.”
“Therapeutic; it was quite nice, meditative. I didn’t expect to enjoy block printing so much.” — Darja
“A new skill to love & practice.”
“Mindful, concentrated, at peace — it was beautiful, and also gave me an opportunity to connect and collaborate with interesting people!” — Juliette
“Trying and experiencing new things, meeting new people, exploring new techniques.”
“Making mistakes is the best what can happen. Don’t try to think too much about the result, it comes out totally different.” — Mashal
“To see how I can bring more life & color to boring clothes, get inspiration & knowledge how to continue it on my own.”
“Excited & inspired. Opened a whole other dimensions of what can be done, how many different ways just one block can be used. Everything was perfect!”— Karina
Many people arrive saying they want to learn block printing. Most leave talking about time, calm, and permission.
“Excited to learn the basics of printing on textiles — looking to find out how I can use block prints for tea towels.”
“Getting into the flow — and could have kept doing this for hours more!”— Nina
“Since I love to work with paint as well as embroidery, I want to discover new ways to use these two passions of mine.”
“I felt free of stress & began having new ideas, because I did not feel like I have to come with ideas, it was complete freedom! I just loved it.”— Claudia
“I want to feel inspired, accomplish a sense of play.”
“Therapeutic, it was quite nice, meditative. I didn’t expect to enjoy block printing so much.”— Darja
“I want to learn a new skill and make many many mistakes as I practice and get a feel for it. A nice thing to take away is nice, but not the goal.”
“I felt like myself, in my groove — I love what I created. I didn’t feel like my test pieces were full of mistakes but rather works of art that I will cherish. Really enjoyed the experience!”— Julie
“I am interested to learn block printing as an extension of my culture in India & be part of the community of block printing here in Berlin. What matters is the feeling of belonging.”
“Amazing to have found this community. The creation is more satisfying than anything else. Everything I created here will stay with me forever.”
— Debolina
About the studio context
All field notes on this page come from real participants who joined Atelier Māya in Berlin for studio sessions, workshops, or private print experiences. Some reflections were shared publicly; others were offered privately after time spent in the studio. Names are presented with discretion, and all experiences are shared with respect for individual privacy.
Atelier Māya functions as both a working print studio and a research space, where traditional textile techniques meet contemporary design thinking. Our practice is informed by long-term field research and a commitment to responsible colour systems using eco-friendly, studio-mixed inks and natural fibres.
An invitation to join us behind the print tables
If the voices gathered here resonate with you, you are welcome to join us behind the print tables!
We offer public workshops, private studio sessions, and team workshops for organisations seeking a tactile, thoughtful approach to making.
View current workshops and studio sessions
Enquire about private sessions
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