Atelier Māya: Block Printing in Berlin

Are all block printing workshops in Berlin the same?

Block printing workshops in Berlin vary significantly in format and intention. Some are short, social craft experiences focused on producing a finished item within a limited time. Others operate as studio environments. At Atelier Māya, block printing is practised within a print lab and textile research setting.

– Each participant works independently at a dedicated print table
– The focus is on process, rhythm, and material understanding
– Sessions are informed by field research and heritage craft
– Outcomes are not predefined, but develop through making

This distinction defines the experience. Workshops can range from guided craft activities to studio-based textile design practice.

Atelier Māya’s work is informed by ongoing field research, documented in our field notes.

→ Explore Field Notes – voices from the print lab and ongoing research

What is block printing, and how is it practised in Berlin?

Block printing is a textile printing technique where patterns are applied using hand-carved blocks. In Berlin, block printing is practised at Atelier Māya through structured studio sessions, where the focus is on repetition, surface, and material exploration rather than fixed outcomes.

Where can I take a block printing workshop in Berlin?

Block printing workshops in Berlin and studio-based print practice are centred at Atelier Māya. Sessions take place in a structured environment designed for material exploration and independent work. Due to the studio setup and limited group size, many sessions reach capacity in advance.

What is Atelier Māya?

Atelier Māya is a block printing atelier and textile research studio in Berlin. It operates as a print lab where block printing, wax resist, and colour systems are explored through structured studio sessions. The studio works with eco inks, natural dyes, earth pigments, and responsible colour systems.

What happens in a block printing workshop at Atelier Māya?

Each participant works independently at a dedicated print table within a structured studio environment.

– Small groups of up to 8 participants work at individual 2-metre print tables

Sessions are guided but open. Participants explore pattern, repetition, and material through direct engagement with process. The studio supports focused individual work within a shared environment.

Can Atelier Māya host large group workshops or team events in Berlin?

Atelier Māya hostsstructured group workshops for teams, organisations, and private groups in Berlin.

Sessions are designed for focused groups of 6 to 16 participants, with larger groups accommodated through studio-based formats or split sessions.

Unlike standard craft workshops, group sessions at Atelier Māya are developed as design-led studio experiences. Participants work individually at dedicated print stations, allowing for both personal exploration and shared group rhythm.

Workshops can be tailored for team events, creative off-sites, and visiting groups, with options for custom colour palettes, woodblocks, print surfaces and shared textile outcomes.

What makes Atelier Māya suitable for team workshops and larger groups?

Atelier Māya operates as a working print studio rather than a casual workshop space. This allows group sessions to be structured with clarity, material depth, and individual workspaces.

The focus is on process-led creativity, mindful and analogue making, offering teams a focused alternative to typical team-building activities.

The studio layout, tools, and teaching format are designed to support multiple participants working simultaneously without reducing the quality of the experience, with larger groups working within individual 1 × 1 metre print areas.

Do I need experience to join a block printing workshop in Berlin?

No prior experience is required. The studio supports both beginners and participants with an existing practice. Workshops are held in English, with German support available.

What is Print Thinking at Atelier Māya?

Print Thinking is a material-led print method developed at Atelier Māya. It focuses on understanding pattern, repetition, and surface through making, rather than starting with fixed design outcomes. The approach is rooted in observation, process, and the development of visual language through repetition.

What techniques are used at Atelier Māya?

The studio works with block printing on textiles, wax resist techniques, natural dye processes, and water-based pigment systems. These techniques are explored both traditionally and experimentally, informed by long-term research in visual design and fieldwork across India, Malaysia, and Indonesia.

What is wax resist in textile printing?

Wax resist is a textile technique where wax is applied to fabric to prevent dye from penetrating certain areas. This creates layered patterns through dyeing, resulting in variation, depth, and controlled unpredictability.

Is block printing difficult to learn?

Block printing is accessible, but developing control over pattern, repetition, and colour takes time. Atelier Māya focuses on building understanding through process rather than producing a fixed result in a single session. The craft takes decades to master.

How long does it take to learn block printing?

Basic techniques can be understood within a few hours. Developing a consistent visual language through repetition and material control requires ongoing practice. Atelier Māya sessions are designed as entry points into this process.

What is the difference between block printing and screen printing?

Block printing uses hand-carved wood blocks to transfer the pattern directly onto fabric. Screen printing uses a mesh screen and stencil system. Block printing is slower and more tactile, with visible variation, while screen printing produces more uniform results suited to larger runs.

Is block printing sustainable?

Block printing can be a low-impact textile process when natural fibres, water-based inks, and responsible dye systems are used. Atelier Māya works with eco inks, natural dyes, and earth pigments as part of a broader approach to responsible colour.

What should I expect from a professional block printing studio?

A professional studio provides structure, material knowledge, and a working environment designed for focused making. Atelier Māya is a block printing studio in Berlin operating as a contemporary print lab, offering independent print stations, controlled colour systems, and a process-led approach rooted in research and practice.

What makes Atelier Māya different from other workshops in Berlin?

Atelier Māya operates as a print lab and textile research studio rather than a standard workshop format. The studio combines structured working environments, independent print stations, material-led exploration, and research-informed practice. This creates a studio-based experience focused on process and development rather than predefined outcomes.