AUTHENTICITY CHECK HACKS: HANDPRINTED, SCREEN PRINT & DIGITAL PRINT FABRICS

AUTHENTICITY CHECK HACKS: HANDPRINTED, SCREEN PRINT & DIGITAL PRINT FABRICS

Hey there fabric enthusiasts! Have you ever wondered how your favourite designs get printed onto your clothes or different fabrics that you see around you? Well, there are three main methods – 

  • Handprinting,
  • Screen printing, and 
  • Digital printing

Knowing the difference between these methods is important because each one produces a unique look and has its own pros and cons. Understanding these differences can help you make better choices when shopping for new clothes. So, let’s dive in and explore the world of printed fabrics!

  1. First things first, how is block printing different from screen printing and digital printing?
  1. HOW CAN A CUSTOMER DIFFERENTIATE AMONGST BLOCK PRINTED AJRAKH, SCREEN PRINT AND DIGITAL PRINT?
Ans. There are three quick hacks to find out-  
  • IRREGULAR / OVERLAPPING PRINTS IN BLOCK PRINT VS CONSISTENT IN OTHER PRINT FORMS 
In block printing, one needs to stamp each colour block about 50 times in a 1-metre cloth. It is almost impossible for a human to place all the blocks uniformly. Look for irregularities / overlap of designs in a block printed product. However, in screen printing, 1 metre cloth can be printed by placing each colour screen maximum twice. Hence chances of irregularities / overlaps are very less here. Very consistent designs will be observed here. Also, sometimes the print forms a very thin film-like texture on the fabric which can be felt if you touch or scratch the print.   INTERESTING OBSERVATION: We all know block printed products command a higher price due to the artistic value attached to it. Therefore, to make higher profits, people try to copy irregularities too. Uniformity in irregularities can again give indication of screen / digital printing.  
  • LOOK AT THE BACKSIDE OF THE FABRIC: INCONSISTENCY IN DEPTH OF COLOUR IN BLOCK PRINT
A human hand is bound to apply different levels of pressure on the block against the fabric each time. Hence the depth  of colour on the backside of the cloth will be light and dark randomly across the fabric in block printing. But, in screen and digital printing, the backside will be more consistent and cleaner. In digital prints one may not see any colour leakage on the backside at times.  
  • NUMBER OF COLOURS USED: LIMITED COLOURS IN BLOCK PRINT AND SCREEN PRINT UNLIKE DIGITAL
Handmade block printed Ajrakh is quite soft against the skin and is quite vibrant. Limited and naturally available colours are used in block printing. In screen printing as well limited colours are used because higher the number of colours, higher the setup cost of screens. Vast range of colours can be used in digital printing. 
  1. WHICH ONE IS GOOD? BLOCK PRINTED, SCREEN PRINTED OR DIGITALLY PRINTED?
    • There is nothing good or bad. It totally depends upon the consumer’s preference and the kind of experience they want. But if you’re looking for authentic Ajrakh, hand block printed is the one.

  2. WHY IS IT IMPORTANT FOR PEOPLE TO KNOW ABOUT THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF PRINTING?
    • So that customer is aware and can make a conscious decision about their purchase.
      • People try to sell partial and misleading stories about their products to attract customers and make more profits. If a person knows how to distinguish amongst the three types of print, the chances of getting tricked will be lesser. The point is there should be transparency from a seller’s side about the product being block printed, screen printed or digitally printed.
  3. WHY DO SELLERS TRY TO SELL SCREEN PRINTED OR DIGITAL PRINTED CITING IT TO BE BLOCK PRINTED?
    • The unethical reason : Sellers take advantage of customer’s unawareness to identify authentic block printed products to make higher profits. (The screen printed ones look very similar to block printed ones which makes it difficult for customers to differentiate between the two.) 
    • The (maybe) ethical reason : There are instances when the seller (retailer / wholesaler) does this unintentionally as they were tricked by their seller. They sell it forward unknowingly as they lack the experience & skills to find out the accuracy.

  4. WHY IS BLOCK PRINTED MORE EXPENSIVE COMPARED TO SCREEN OR DIGITAL PRINT?
    • Block printing requires skill (which comes with years of practice), patience and precision. Because it is completely handmade, it requires a lot more time and effort and hence is pricier.

3. WHY IS IT IMPORTANT FOR PEOPLE TO KNOW ABOUT THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF PRINTING?

  • So that customer is aware and can make a conscious decision about their purchase.
  • People try to sell partial and misleading stories about their products to attract customers and make more profits. If a person knows how to distinguish amongst the three types of print, the chances of getting tricked will be lesser. The point is there should be transparency from a seller’s side about the product being block printed, screen printed or digitally printed.

4. WHY DO SELLERS TRY TO SELL SCREEN PRINTED OR DIGITAL PRINTED CITING IT TO BE BLOCK PRINTED?

  • The unethical reason : Sellers take advantage of customer’s unawareness to identify authentic block printed products to make higher profits. (The screen printed ones look very similar to block printed ones which makes it difficult for customers to differentiate between the two.) 

The (maybe) ethical reason : There are instances when the seller (retailer / wholesaler) does this unintentionally as they were tricked by their seller. They sell it forward unknowingly as they lack the experience & skills to find out the accuracy.

5.  WHY IS BLOCK PRINTED MORE EXPENSIVE COMPARED TO SCREEN OR DIGITAL PRINT?

  • Block printing requires skill (which comes with years of practice), patience and precision. Because it is completely handmade, it requires a lot more time and effort and hence is pricier.

6.  PRICE PLAYS A MAJOR ROLE IN CONSUMER PURCHASES. IN THAT SCENARIO HOW DOES BLOCK PRINTED AJRAKH COMPETE WITH SCREEN OR DIGITAL PRINT?

  • Handmade Ajrakh cannot compete with machine printed ones on price front as it takes 1/10th or even 1/100th the time to produce the latter. But just remember, that if machine printed is being sold for ½ the price of handprinted, you’re actually paying more.

What truly differentiates a handmade Ajrakh from machine printed one is:

  1. “Screen printing toh koi original craft hi nahi hai” (It’s not a craft form).
  2. Not all handcrafted designs can be screen printed
  3. People who truly value crafts always try to look for authentic handmade pieces 
  4. There is a story of love and grit attached to every handmade product
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