The Art of Chusen: Embracing the Beauty of Tradition
Unlike modern printing, Chusen involves pouring dye through layers of fabric. This allows the dye to penetrate the fibers completely, resulting in exceptional absorbency and a reversible finish where the pattern appears clearly on both sides.
Because Chusen is a 100% handcrafted process, it possesses a “soul” that digital printing cannot replicate. This means there are certain design constraints and natural variations. We want you to love your finished product, so please review the following characteristics of this beautiful craft before finalizing your design.
1. Design Requirements & Limitations
Because Chusen uses liquid dyes, very fine details may “bleed” or disappear. To ensure your design looks its best, please follow these guidelines:
| Feature | Minimum Requirement | Visual Note |
| Line Weight & Gaps | At least 2mm | Lines thinner than this may blur or close up. |
| Color Separation | At least 1cm | A margin is needed to prevent different dyes from mixing. |
| Sharp Corners | Slightly rounded | Sharp points or crisp angles will naturally soften and round out. |
| Color Tones | Natural palettes | Fluorescent yellows or extremely vivid neon reds are difficult to achieve. |
*Chusen dyeing requires stencils (printing plates) for the dyeing process.
The price includes the stencil (plate) fee.
They are stored for 5 years. If you place an additional order within these 5 years, no plate fee will be required.
2. The “Flavor” of Hand-Dyeing (Natural Variations)
In the world of Chusen, “imperfections” are celebrated as proof of authentic craftsmanship. Please only choose this method if you appreciate the following:
- Blurring & Bleeding (Nijimi): The outlines of designs often have a soft, blurred effect. This is the hallmark of a hand-dyed tenugui.
- Fainting & Texture: Some areas may show slight “haze” or fading where the dye flowed differently, adding a vintage character.
- Individual Differences: We dye about 20 layers of fabric at once. Therefore, each of the 20 pieces will have its own unique personality—no two are exactly alike.
- Distortion near Edges: Since artisans hold the fabric by hand during the process, slight shifts or distortions are more common near the edges.
Pro Tip: If your priority is a “pixel-perfect” match to your digital file with razor-sharp edges, Inkjet Printing may be a better fit. However, if you want a warm, soulful, and living piece of art, Chusen is the perfect choice.
3. Order Terms
- Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ): 50 pieces.
- Pricing: Costs vary depending on whether the background is white or fully dyed (white-out design) and the number of colors used.
