Our story
Zena & Rose design studio began with a love of patterns and a fascination with printed textiles.
Based in London, we are now one of the UK’s leading suppliers of wood blocks for printing. We combine the heritage of Indian wood block printing with our love of contemporary pattern design.
Our botanical wood blocks are designed in our studio, inspired by the flowers and foliage of different cultures, then hand-carved by skilled artisans in India from durable sheesham wood.
We believe traditional crafts should be accessible, enjoyable and relevant to modern life. Our wood blocks and printing kits are designed to encourage everyone, from complete beginners to experienced makers, to experiment with pattern and create something beautiful with their own hands.
Our kits offer a simple and enjoyable introduction to textile printing, while our workshops take this a step further — helping people develop practical hand skills, explore their creativity and gain confidence through making.
By sharing the craft of Indian wood block printing, we hope to keep this wonderful heritage skill alive, celebrate the people and traditions behind it, and inspire a new generation of makers to enjoy its creative possibilities.
Zena & Rose is a member of the Heritage Crafts Association and is listed in the Crafts Council Directory.
Management team
Zena & Rose design studio was founded by Joanna Sanderson, now its Creative Director.
Joanna’s creative journey began when she was young, spending time with Zena and Rose, her great aunt and grandmother. The sisters worked as seamstresses in the family workshop making garments. One of Joanna’s fondest memories is of Zena and Rose teaching her to sew using patterned fabric remnants from the workshop. With their help, her imagination could run wild.
Joanna was looking for a creative outlet after working for 10 years in the heritage and museum sector, advising on the conservation of historic buildings. In 2021, she launched Zena & Rose because she wanted to follow her passion for design, pattern and printing.
At the start of 2023 she travelled to Jaipur in northern India to meet wood block printers and understand this beautiful heritage craft. She enjoys teaching workshops and has collaborated with other makers and craftspeople.
Meet the carvers
Zena & Rose's founder Joanna established a relationship with Indian carvers through personal connections, her friend's family business. Their team comprises around 100 carvers working from their homes across several villages just outside Jaipur. The carvers include both men and women who have learned skills from previous generations of their family.
We make sure they are paid fairly for their work and skills.
Joanna has also travelled to Jaipur herself to understand the block printing industry first hand.
