The Blue Print Workshop in Steinberg brings the old craft back to life. With a lot of commitment and passion, blue printing is experiencing a sort of renaissance today. As the name suggests, it is not printed in blue, but dyed. Printing is done using old molds and stencils. These wooden molds, carved from lime or birch wood, are up to 200 years old. The stencils create the typical patterns on the fabrics and are a well-kept secret of the family. After printing, the dyeing process follows, but the fabrics must first dry for about three weeks. The vat dyes the fabric, which can take up to four hours depending on the shade. Subsequently, the stencils are rinsed out, and the fabrics are dried outdoors.
In the past, blue printed fabrics were worn as everyday and work clothing. Blue printing was an essential part of the Burgenland's everyday culture. However, since blue printing is a very elaborate process, only a few workshops have survived. In Austria, there are now only two blue printing families left. To preserve this traditional craft, Indigo Blue Printing was added to the UNESCO list of "Intangible Cultural Heritage of Austria" in 2010. Since 2018, the rare craft has been part of the intangible world cultural heritage.
One of the house specialties is the so-called double prints, where different patterns can be seen on the front and back of the fabric. These unique pieces are more popular today than ever. Aprons, masks, and dirndls are adorned with fabrics typical of Burgenland. More and more people are discovering the cultural value of this specialty. Each piece is filled with a lot of passion and craftsmanship. Guided tours through one of the last blue printing workshops in Europe can be arranged at any time with the Koó family.
Free entry and 5% discount on a purchase from € 30,- with the Burgenland Card.