How to Identify Hand Block Print Fabric: 6 Tests (vs Screen and Digital Print)
By Hitesh Sharma, Founder, Shree Srishti Textile, Sanganer, Jaipur · Updated 22 October 2026
What "hand block print fabric" means
Hand block printing is done by pressing hand-carved wooden blocks, dipped in colour, onto cotton laid on a long padded table. Each colour in a design needs its own block, and the printer lines up every impression by eye. In Jaipur this is done mainly in Sanganer (fine florals on light grounds) and Bagru and Dabu (earthy, natural-dye and mud-resist prints).
Because it is slow and skilled work, genuine hand block print costs more than screen or digital print — and that is exactly why cheaper prints are often sold under the same name. These six tests help you tell them apart before you pay.
The 6 tests — do them in this order
- Turn the fabric over. In hand block print the dye soaks through, so the design is clearly visible on the back. Screen print is usually lighter on the back; digital print often shows almost nothing.
- Find where the blocks meet. Follow a line of the repeat. Hand block shows tiny gaps, overlaps or slight shifts where one block impression ends and the next begins. A seamless, machine-perfect join points to screen or roller printing.
- Compare two repeats. Put two motifs side by side. In hand block print they are almost the same but never identical — a little more colour here, a softer edge there.
- Feel the surface. Run your fingers over a dark area. Hand block print feels like the fabric itself. A raised, rubbery or plastic layer usually means pigment screen print.
- Look at the edges under light. Natural dyes and hand-applied colour spread very slightly into the fibre, giving a soft edge. Very sharp, pixel-like edges suggest digital print.
- Ask to see the printing. A real maker can show the blocks and printing tables on a video call or at the unit. If the seller cannot, treat the claim with care.
Hand block vs screen print vs digital print
| Hand block | Screen print | Digital print | |
|---|---|---|---|
| How it is made | Wooden blocks pressed by hand | Colour pushed through a mesh screen | Inkjet printer on fabric |
| Back of fabric | Design clearly visible | Lighter | Very faint |
| Repeat | Small natural variations | Perfectly even | Perfectly even |
| Feel | Soft, like the fabric | Can feel coated | Soft but flat colour |
| Detail | Bold, handmade look | Clean, uniform | Photo-level detail, gradients |
| Cost | Highest | Lower | Varies |
For a deeper comparison of cost and use cases, read block print vs screen print: the difference and why it matters.
Why it matters for wholesale buyers
- Your customer pays for "hand block". If she later finds it is screen print, you lose her trust, not the supplier.
- Price makes sense only when the fabric is genuine. Comparing a hand block rate with a screen print rate is comparing two different products.
- Washing behaves differently. Natural-dye hand block fabric needs gentle care; share our washing guide with customers.
Hand block printed products from our Sanganer unit
Every product below is hand block printed at our unit. Tap any design to see close-up photos — you can check the back and the repeats yourself.
Navy Blue Rose Jaal Multicolor Handblock Print Cotton Suit Material wi₹600 / set
Hand Block Printed Cotton Suit Material₹665 / set
Hand Block Printed Cotton Suit Material₹665 / set
Onion Pink Buti Pure Kota Doria Salwar Suit – Unstitched 3 Piece (Top ₹850 / set
Orange Coral Jaal Kota Doria Hand Block Print Saree with Blouse₹970 / piece
Black Brown Wave Dabu Kota Doria Hand Block Print Saree with Blouse₹970 / piece
Wholesale only: the rate shown is per set/piece, and orders are placed in MOQ only (15–20 pcs per design). Shipping extra, GST bill with every order.
Where genuine hand block print comes from
Fine florals, light grounds
Small butis and creepers in soft colours on white or cream.
Natural dyes, earthy colours
Rust, black and mustard motifs with a handmade feel.
Mud-resist printing
Indigo and green grounds with a soft crackle effect.
History and process: Sanganeri vs Bagru vs Dabu.
What buyers say on Google
"Authentic sanganeri printing is something which you can exclusively explore here."Bharti Verma, ★★★★★ Google review
"The cotton fabrics we ordered were well finished and vibrant. They understand wholesale requirements properly."Chirayu Namdev, ★★★★★ Google review
"100% cotton quality is best"Poonam Rohera, ★★★★★ Google review
"Very good collection and very good quality."Anjana S Menon, ★★★★★ Google review
Read all reviews on our Google Business Profile
Watch: hand block print fabric from Jaipur
More factory videos on our YouTube channel: Shree Srishti Textile Jaipur.
How to order from Shree Srishti Textile
- WhatsApp or call 78774 85921 (sales line open 9 AM – 9 PM, every day) and say which category you want. We send the current ready-stock catalogue with photos and rates.
- Pick designs. MOQ is 15–20 pieces per design; you can mix designs across the order.
- See the stock live on a video call, or visit our Sanganer unit (Mon–Sun, 9 AM – 7 PM).
- Pay and dispatch. You get a GST bill (GSTIN 08FSSPS9727M1ZC) and a packing video before the parcel leaves.
Frequently asked questions
How can I tell if fabric is hand block printed?
Check the back of the fabric (colour soaks through), look for small gaps or overlaps where blocks meet, compare two repeats for slight variation, and feel for a soft surface without a rubbery layer.
Is hand block print better than screen print?
They are different products. Hand block print is handmade with small natural variations and usually costs more; screen print is even and cheaper. Buyers should simply know which one they are paying for.
Does hand block print fade?
Natural-dye prints can soften with washing. A gentle cold wash, mild detergent and drying in shade help the colours last.
Can I see the printing before I buy?
Yes. Ask on WhatsApp 78774 85921 for a live video call from our Sanganer unit, or visit Mon–Sun, 9 AM – 7 PM.
What is your minimum order?
15–20 pieces per design, wholesale only.
Related guides
- Genuine handblock fabric: buyer's guide
- Hand block vs screen print suit material
- Block print salwar suits wholesale
