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Silk Mark and Handloom Mark: What They Mean and Why They Matter
Updated: Sep 2
India's handloom industry is one of the largest in the world — and also one of the most counterfeited. Power-loom sarees are routinely sold as 'handloom,' and synthetic blends are passed off as pure silk. Two government certifications exist to protect buyers: the Handloom Mark and the Silk Mark.
What is the Handloom Mark?
The Handloom Mark is a certification issued by the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India. It is a guarantee that a fabric or garment has been woven on a traditional handloom — not a power loom or machine. The mark appears as a tag with a stylised handloom shuttle image. Weavers must register with the government and undergo verification to be eligible. The mark was introduced in 2006 specifically to combat power-loom products being falsely sold as handloom.
What is the Silk Mark?
The Silk Mark is issued by the Silk Mark Organisation of India (SMOI), under the Central Silk Board, Ministry of Textiles. It certifies that a product is made from pure, natural silk — not synthetic fibres like polyester, viscose, or art silk that can closely resemble real silk. The Silk Mark tag includes a hologram to prevent counterfeiting, awarded only after laboratory testing of the fabric.
What Do Both Certifications Together Mean?
A saree carrying both the Handloom Mark and the Silk Mark offers the highest level of certification available in India. It guarantees the saree is handwoven on a traditional loom AND made from genuine natural silk — not a machine-made synthetic imitation. This combination is what separates a genuine heirloom piece from an imitation.
How to Verify the Marks
The Silk Mark hologram can be verified on the official SMOI website. Look for a unique hologram on the tag that reflects light cleanly — counterfeit holograms typically appear flat or blurry. For the Handloom Mark, look for the tag with the shuttle image and weaver registration details. If a seller cannot produce certification on request, treat that as a red flag.
At Bharat Karigar, every pure silk handloom saree — Chanderi, Maheshwari, Banarasi Mashru, Khaddi Georgette — carries both the Handloom Mark and Silk Mark certification. We source directly from registered weaver families and can provide certification details for any product on request.
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