Gabriele & Lara Marchi

Textile printer

©Stamperia artigiana Marchi

©AMATI BACCIARDI

A centuries-old craft

Lara and Gabriele learned the craft from their father
Their active stone press dates back to 1633
Also their secret colour recipe dates back to 1633

Founded in 1633 in Santarcangelo di Romagna, not far from Fellini’s Rimini, Stamperia Artigiana Marchi is specialised in hand-block printing of fabrics with the traditional rust colour. Gabriele and Lara Marchi, Alfonso’s children, were brought up in the Stamperia, run by the Marchi family for centuries. They use a huge “mangano”, a stone press, dating back to 1633: a unique piece in the world. It is crucial to prepare the cotton, linen and hemp textiles. The fabrics are hand printed by Gabriele, who can choose from an archive of about 2,000 hand-carved wood printing plates, using ancient methods. He also carves new blocks and makes the colours following a secret recipe. Lara paints by hand on antique hand-woven fabrics (linen or hemp), creating one-of-a-kind items.

Interview

©AMATI BACCIARDI

©AMATI BACCIARDI

Is there room for innovation in your craft?: Lara: On the walls of our workshop you can read Plato’s advice to the craftsman’s children: "Attend-watch-imitate-produce", to which we’ve added renew. We create new articles such as pieces painted by hand using brushes and we’ve invented a new printing technique, called Arte spontanea.
Where do you find inspiration?: Gabriele: Living surrounded by history and having at our disposal about 2,000 printing plates that constitutes the decorative heritage of Romagna, our region, are essential sources of inspiration, thanks to which we can create new and different pieces.
Did you learn your craft from your father?: Lara: Yes, he is a great master, we grew up watching him at work: while he was printing, cutting, preparing the colour. He imparted to us the love for this craft and the stone press. Also, he made us appreciate art and music, which is crucial to our creativity.
When is a special moment in your professional life?: Gabriele: There are many: the collaboration with chef Fabio Trabocchi, whose restaurant in Washington we decorated; participating in the Milan Fashion Week with Federico Cina, who used our prints in his collection; and being featured in the PBS Italy made with love, directed by Patrick Green.

Gabriele & Lara Marchi are expert artisans they began their career in 1985