Handloom products are admired for their craftsmanship, cultural value, and natural comfort. But with the rise of mass-produced textiles, many people struggle to identify authentic handloom products from machine-made duplicates. Fake handloom fabrics often look similar at first glance, making it difficult for buyers to trust what they are purchasing—especially online.
So how can you tell if a handloom cotton fabric is real? What signs should you look for before buying? And how does the official Handloom Mark guarantee authenticity?
In this guide, you’ll learn how to verify genuine handloom and textile products, understand their unique qualities, check certifications, and choose the best handloom cotton fabrics for long-lasting comfort and beauty.
Why Authenticity Matters
Understanding the authenticity of handloom products is important for several reasons—ranging from comfort and quality to sustainability and cultural preservation. Genuine handloom cotton fabrics go beyond just being textiles; they carry tradition, craftsmanship, and long-term value. Here’s a deeper look at why verifying authenticity truly matters:
1. Authentic Handloom Ensures Real Comfort
Handloom fabrics are woven slowly and carefully, allowing air pockets to form naturally between the threads. This creates a breathable, soft, and temperature-regulating textile—perfect for India’s diverse climates.
Fake or machine-made fabrics often lack this natural airflow and may feel stiff, synthetic, or warm on the skin.
Choosing real handloom means choosing better comfort, better sleep, and a healthier experience for your skin.
2. You Get Superior Quality & Durability
Each handloom product is made by skilled artisans who control the weaving process manually. This results in:
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Stronger thread structure
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Better longevity
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Less tearing and fraying
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Natural softness that improves with every wash
Machine-made duplicates may look similar initially but wear out much faster.
Authentic handloom = long-lasting value.
3. It Preserves India’s Rich Cultural Heritage
Handloom weaving represents centuries of Indian tradition. Every region—from Varanasi to Kanchipuram to Bhuj—has its own unique weaving style.
By choosing genuine handloom products, you:
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Promote traditional artistry
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Help preserve age-old textile knowledge
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Support families who have practiced weaving for generations
Your purchase helps keep India’s cultural identity alive.
4. It Directly Supports Artisan Livelihoods
Thousands of weavers rely on handloom work as their primary income.
When you buy authentic handloom and textile products:
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Artisans earn fair wages
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Local communities thrive
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Sustainable rural employment is created
Buying fakes hurts artisan families. Choosing authentic pieces uplifts entire communities.
5. Environmentally Responsible Choice
Handloom production uses:
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No electricity (fully manual process)
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Minimal water
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Zero harmful chemicals
This makes handloom fabrics one of the most eco-friendly textile choices.
Machine-made textiles often involve chemical processing, energy-heavy machinery, and synthetic materials.
By choosing real handloom, you reduce your carbon footprint and encourage earth-friendly fashion.
6. Honest Value for the Price
Authentic handloom fabrics cost more because they take hours—or even days—to create.
When you know how to identify real handloom, you ensure that you are paying for genuine craftsmanship and not a machine-made imitation.
You get:
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Better quality
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Better durability
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Better comfort
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Ethical sourcing
Your money supports a genuine craft—not mass production.
7. Aesthetics You Can’t Fake
Handloom products have an unmatched charm due to:
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Subtle weave variations
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Natural texture
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Rich, earthy colors
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Human touch
These aesthetic details create a warm, artistic, and luxurious look that machine-made fabrics cannot replicate.
How to Check Authenticity of Handloom Products
1. Check for the Official Handloom Mark
The Handloom Mark is a government-backed certification by the Ministry of Textiles that guarantees a product is woven on a handloom.
What to look for:
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The label featuring a yarn-spindle logo
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A unique registration number
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Manufacturer or artisan details
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High-quality printed/stitched tag (not flimsy or blurry)
2. Observe Natural Irregularities in the Fabric
Authentic handloom products show slight variations because they are woven manually—not by automated machines.
Signs of real handloom fabrics:
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Minor thread thickness variations
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Subtle unevenness in texture
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Tiny knots or slubs
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Non-uniform weaving patterns
These irregularities are proof of hand craftsmanship and increase the fabric’s value.
3. Feel the Fabric – Soft, Breathable, and Natural
Handloom cotton fabrics have a unique feel because the weaving process is slow and allows fibers to retain softness.
Real handloom feels:
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Soft, natural, and breathable
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Lightweight with air pockets
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No chemical stiffness
Machine-made fabrics often feel:
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Too smooth or plasticky
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Stiff due to chemical coating
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Uniform without texture
4. Check the Selvedge (Edges of the Fabric)
The selvedge is one of the best authenticity indicators.
Handloom selvedge features:
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Slightly uneven width
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Visible thread knots
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Looser weave in some areas
Machine-made selvedge is perfectly uniform and often heat-sealed.
5. Inspect the Reverse Side of the Fabric
Flip the product and check the underside.
What to look for:
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Thread overlaps
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Manual joins
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Visible warp and weft interlacing
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No printed or artificial pattern effect
Handloom designs look beautiful on both sides, unlike machine prints which fade on the backside.
6. Water Absorption Test
Handloom cotton absorbs water instantly due to natural fibers.
Authenticity check:
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Drop water on the fabric
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If it absorbs quickly → real handloom cotton
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If water beads or stays on the surface → machine-made or synthetic
7. Stretch & Flexibility Test
Genuine handloom fabrics are woven with tension controlled manually.
Handloom behavior:
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Soft stretch
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Flexible drape
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No stiffness
Machine-made fabrics are more rigid and often snap back quickly.
8. Check Price & Source
Handloom products take time, skill, and manual effort, so they cannot be extremely cheap.
Red flags:
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Prices too low for “handloom cotton”
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Sellers with no artisan details
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No mention of the Handloom Mark or certification
Always buy from trusted brands like theindiglobal, certified government artisans, or reputable handloom clusters.
Smell & Visual Test for Chemicals
Machine-made fabrics often undergo chemical finishing.
Handloom features:
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Natural smell
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No artificial shine
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Matte texture
If a fabric has a strong chemical or synthetic smell, it is likely not handloom.
Which Is Best for You?
For Daily Use
Choose handloom cotton fabrics—Handloom cotton is soft, cool, sweat-absorbent, and gets better with every wash. Perfect for long-term daily comfort.
For Gifting
Opt for handloom bedsheets, as they carry tradition + premium appeal.
For Luxury Feel
Handloom linen or handloom satin blends provide a richer texture.
For Hot Climates (Like India)
Handloom cotton is the best—lightweight, airy, and sweat-friendly.
Care & Styling Tips for Handloom
Washing
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Handwash or machine wash on gentle mode
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Use mild detergent
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Avoid bleach, harsh chemicals, or softeners
Drying
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Always shade-dry to maintain natural fiber strength
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Avoid wringing too hard
Styling
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Use light pastel handloom cotton bedsheets in summer
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Use deeper shades in winter for a cozy feel
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Match with handloom bed covers for cohesive décor
Why Choose theindiglobal Handloom Bedsheets?
At theindiglobal, every handloom bedsheet is crafted with precision, authenticity, and love for Indian artisanship.
We offer:
✔ Certified handloom cotton fabrics
✔ Soft, breathable, skin-safe materials
✔ Elegant prints, solids, and hand-block options
✔ Ethical sourcing supporting Indian weavers
Choose authenticity. Choose comfort. Choose TheIndiGlobal.