Printed cottons often known as toiles de Jouy, were most popular and technically and artistically most advanced in the period 1760-1840. They originated from Indian textiles – which European manufacturers were keen to copy – brought to Europe by East India companies who, along with local weavers and dyers of silks and woollens opposed the manufacture of such cotton fabrics in competition with them. By 1760, a huge number of textile printers were using block printing and engraved copper plates to rival the Indian designs and their fastness of coloured dyes.