The Handloom Mark is the label that helps you check whether a saree, stole or fabric is truly hand woven in India. With wedding and winter shopping season here, many buyers are asked to pay more for “handloom”. This guide explains what the Handloom Mark is, how to verify it and what to ask a seller.

Quick answer

  • What it is: a Government of India label that gives handloom products a common identity.
  • Who runs it: the Development Commissioner (Handlooms) promotes it, and the Textiles Committee handles registration and labels.
  • What to look for: the Handloom Mark logo and a unique code, with a QR code.
  • How to check: scan the label in the HLM Customer App on Google Play.
  • If it fails: the app warns you that the label may be fake.

What the Handloom Mark actually tells you

The Handloom Mark, often shortened to HLM, is a Government of India initiative. According to the Textiles Committee, it exists so that buyers can confirm a product is genuinely hand woven in India. It also protects the livelihoods of weavers who compete with cheaper machine made copies.

The Development Commissioner (Handlooms) promotes the scheme. The Textiles Committee is the implementing agency, so it registers weavers and producers after an onsite verification. Only then are labels issued to them.

Each label carries the HLM logo and a unique code. The committee says labels are supplied every quarter, based on the producer’s estimated annual production and sales. More than 13 crore products have been tagged so far, according to the same page.

How to verify a Handloom Mark label step by step

The label uses a unique dynamic QR code. That means a photocopied or printed copy should not pass the check. Here is the simple way to test one before you pay.

  1. Find the label attached to the product. Look for the HLM logo, the code and the QR square.
  2. Install the HLM Customer App from the Google Play Store.
  3. Open the app and scan the QR code on the label.
  4. Read the result. For a genuine product, the app shows information about the weaver.
  5. If the label is fake, the app warns you and also alerts administrators. It records the geo tagged location of the fraudulent label.

The app also has a feedback option, so you can report a problem. Meanwhile, keep the label until you are sure you are happy with the purchase, because it is your proof.

Questions to ask the seller

A label is a strong signal, but it works best with good questions. So ask politely and note the answers.

  • Which weaver or cooperative made this piece, and from which region?
  • Is the Handloom Mark label on the product itself, not only on the bill?
  • Can you scan the label now, in the shop?
  • Is the price consistent with the time a hand woven piece takes?

Very low prices for an intricate “handloom” saree should make you cautious. Hand weaving takes days, and a price that looks like a factory price is worth questioning. However, a high price alone does not prove authenticity either.

What the label does not prove

The Handloom Mark confirms how a product was made. It does not say anything about the dye quality, the fibre blend or whether the colour will fade. For those, check the care label and ask about the fibre.

It is also different from a hallmark on gold. If you are buying jewellery this season, our guide on how to check a HUID gold hallmark covers that separate check.

If you find a fake label

Do not argue at the counter. Instead, take a clear photo of the label and the product, and keep the bill. Then use the feedback feature in the HLM Customer App to report it. Also ask the seller for a refund or exchange, since a mislabelled product is a fair reason to return it.

Consumers are protected when a product is not what it was sold as. Keep your payment record, because it helps if you need to escalate with the seller or platform.

FAQ

What is the Handloom Mark in India?

It is a Government of India label that identifies genuine hand woven products. Each label has the HLM logo, a unique code and a QR code. The Textiles Committee registers producers and issues the labels.

How do I check if a Handloom Mark is genuine?

Scan the QR code with the HLM Customer App from the Google Play Store. A genuine label shows weaver details. A fake label triggers a warning in the app.

Does the Handloom Mark apply to online shopping?

The label is attached to the physical product, so you can scan it once the item arrives. If the label is missing or fails the check, you can ask the seller for a return.

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