GHALAMKAR IS ONE OF THE OLDEST CRAFTS OF ANCIENT PERSIA. THIS FABRIC IS PREPARED OF PURE COTTON. THE WORD IS DERIVED FROM THE FARSI WORDS GHALAM (PEN) AND KARI (CRAFTMANSHIP), MEANING DRAWING WITH A PEN (GHALAMKAR). THE COTTON IS PRINTED WITH HAND CARVED WOODEN STAMPS. EACH SHAPE IS STAMPED SEVERAL TIMES SOLELY BY EYE, STARTING WITH A BLACK OUTLINE. THE FINAL SHAPE IS FORMED BY PRECISELY OVERLAYING COLOURED STAMPS ON TOP. AFTER PRINTING, THE FABRIC IS BOILED IN WATER TO STABLISE THE COLOUR, THEN IS WASHED IN A RIVER (THAT ENHANCES THE COLOUR), AND THEN BOILED AGAIN IN WATER, AND FINALLY DRIED UNDER NATURAL SUNLIGHT BY THE RIVER. THIS FABRIC HAS BEEN HAND PRINTED IN ISFEHAN, IRAN.