Why Jaipur Block Prints Are Different: The Craft Behind Aakrati Vastram’s Fabric Choices

Every time a customer says their Aakrati Vastram kurta looks even more beautiful in person than on screen, we smile. We know exactly why. Because a hand-block printed fabric carries the soul of the artisan, and that can never be fully captured by a camera.

Aakrati Vastram is a brand born from the heart of Jaipur. Our prints come directly from the same families of block printers who have made this city India’s textile capital for over 500 years. Every kurti, every saree, every ethnic dress in our collection tells that story. And today, we are on a mission to become India’s most popular block print brand for women – not just by selling clothes, but by preserving a craft.

Indian Block Prints Are Having a Global Renaissance

The world has finally woken up to the magic of Indian hand block printing. International runways feature Sanganeri florals, Bagru geometries, and Ajrakh patterns. Celebrities like Priyanka Chopra and Deepika Padukone have been spotted in block-printed ensembles. Even global fast-fashion brands are trying to replicate the look, but they always fail. Why? Because a machine cannot imitate the irregular, living rhythm of a human hand pressing a wooden block.

At the heart of this global interest lie two printing traditions that only Jaipur can call its own. And Aakrati Vastram works directly with the master artisans who have kept these traditions alive for generations.

Jaipur: The Unmatched Capital of Indian Block Printing

Jaipur is home to two GI-tagged (Geographical Indication) block printing traditions – meaning the government recognises that authentic versions of these crafts can only come from this region. Both use hand-carved wooden teak blocks, natural dyes, and human hands. Both produce prints that no factory – no matter how advanced – can ever truly copy.

1. Sanganeri Print (GI Tagged since 2009)

• Origin: Sanganer village, just south of Jaipur

• Characteristics: Fine, delicate floral motifs – lotuses, roses, vines, small paisleys. Light backgrounds (white, cream, pastel). Bright, cheerful colour palette (pink, yellow, green, blue).

• Process: Artisans wash the fabric in the Sanganeri river water (known for low lime content, which helps colours set). Then they print using wooden blocks, one colour at a time. After each colour, the fabric is dried in the sun. A single design may need 5-10 different blocks.

• Best for: Everyday kurtis, summer dresses, light sarees

2. Bagru Print (GI Tagged since 2011)

• Origin: Bagru village, about 35 km from Jaipur

• Characteristics: Bold, earthy, geometric motifs. Deep indigo, rust red, black, ochre. Uses a unique dabu (mud-resist) technique.

• Dabu Process Explained: A paste of clay, lime, and gum is hand-stamped onto the fabric in a pattern. Then the fabric is dip-dyed in natural indigo or other dyes. The mud resists the dye where it is applied, creating a striking negative pattern. This is repeated for multiple colours. The result has a depth and texture impossible to achieve with screen or digital printing.

• Best for: Statement kurtas, festive wear, fusion dresses

Why this matters: When you buy from Aakrati Vastram, you are not getting a "Jaipur-inspired" print. You are getting the real craft, from the real place, made by real hands.

Aakrati Vastram: Making India’s Most Popular Block Print Brand for Women

We founded Aakrati Vastram with a simple belief: every woman deserves to wear authentic hand-block printed clothing without paying luxury prices. And every artisan deserves fair wages and respect.

Here is how we are becoming India's most loved block print brand:

Every piece in our collection – from a simple cotton kurti for daily wear to a heavy gotta-patti saree for festivals – carries the Aakrati Vastram promise: authentic, beautiful, affordable.

Explore our range: Kurtis | Dresses | Kurta Sets

The Key Jaipur Prints You Will Find at Aakrati Vastram

We have organised our collection around the major print families of Jaipur. Here is what each one means and when to wear it.

1. Floral Prints (Sanganeri Style)

• Look: Small, delicate flowers and vines on light backgrounds

• Best for: Office wear, casual outings, summer days

• Our range: Over 300+ floral printed kurtis and dresses

2. Ethnic Motif Prints (Bagru Style)

• Look: Bold geometric shapes, elephants, peacocks, jaali patterns. Earthy colours.

• Best for: Lunch dates, family gatherings, festive occasions

• Our range: 200+ pieces including A-line kurtas and long dresses

3. Bandhani-Inspired Prints

• Real Bandhani: A tie-dye technique where fabric is tied in tiny knots before dyeing. Very labour-intensive.

• Our version: We work with bandhani artisans from Kutch and Jaipur to bring you authentic tied pieces. The tiny dotted patterns create a beautiful, rich texture.

• Why it is trending: Bandhani has been spotted on international runways because of its unique textured depth.

• Best for: Weddings, receptions, celebratory events

4. Paisley Prints

• Origin: Paisley (or "buta" in Hindi) came from Persia, was adopted by Mughal emperors, and became a signature of Rajasthani design.

• Our take: We use both small, repeated paisleys (for kurtis) and large, statement paisleys (for sarees and dresses).

• Best for: Semi-formal events, festive days, travel wear

5. Thread Work and Gotta Patti on Printed Bases

• What it is: A Jaipur-printed cotton or silk-cotton base, with hand-applied gota (metallic ribbon) borders or light thread embroidery.

• Why women love it: It looks festive without being heavy. Perfect for those "dressy but comfortable" occasions.

• Best for: Diwali, Karva Chauth, engagement ceremonies, family poojas

6. Abstract and Contemporary Jaipur Prints

• What it is: The same hand-block technique, but with modern, minimalist motifs – geometric lines, scattered dots, negative-space designs.

• Best for: Young women who want the authenticity of hand-block but with a clean, contemporary aesthetic.

👉 Shop New Arrivals to see the latest prints every week.

Why Aakrati Vastram Prints Wear Differently

Here is a truth we have learned: not all block prints are equal. Machine-made "block print style" fabric fades, bleeds, and looks dull after a few washes. Authentic Jaipur hand-block prints get better with time.

Here is why our fabric behaves differently:

Practical tip from our master artisan, Ramesh ji: "Soak your new block print kurta in salt water (one tablespoon salt in a bucket of cold water) for 15 minutes before first wash. This sets the natural dyes. Then wash normally. Your print will stay bright for years."

How to Identify Authentic Jaipur Hand-Block Prints 

You are shopping online. The product photos look beautiful. But how do you know you are getting real hand-block and not a cheap print? Use these four checks:

1. Check the reverse side. A real hand-block print will show the colour slightly bleeding through to the inside of the fabric. Machine prints have a perfectly clean reverse side.

2. Look for registration variation. If you see a tiny overlap or gap between two colours repeating in a random way, that is the mark of hand-block printing. If every single motif is perfectly aligned, it is machine-made.

3. Feel the fabric. Hand-block printing works best on natural, slightly textured cottons (mulmul, voile, cotton-silk). If the fabric feels plasticky or unnaturally smooth, it is likely a synthetic base with a digital print.

4. Ask the brand. At Aakrati Vastram, we proudly show videos of our artisans printing on our website and social media. A brand that is truly hand-block will never hide the process.

FAQ About Jaipur Block Prints

Q1. What makes a Jaipur print different from other printed fabrics?

Jaipur prints are hand-block printed using wooden blocks and natural dyes in the Sanganeri or Bagru tradition. The colour depth, the slight natural variations in the print repeat, and the way the fabric ages are things that machine-made prints cannot replicate.

Q2. Is Aakrati Vastram’s block printing authentic?

Yes. Every piece is printed by hand by artisan families in Sanganer and Bagru villages near Jaipur. We do not use screen printing or digital printing. You can see videos of our printing process on our product pages and Instagram.

Q3. What is the difference between Sanganeri and Bagru prints?

• Sanganeri: Light background, delicate florals, brighter colours – best for daily wear.

• Bagru: Bold, earthy, geometric, uses mud-resist (dabu) – best for statement pieces.

Q4. How should I wash and care for my Jaipur hand-block printed kurta?

• First wash: Cold water + 1 tbsp salt. Soak for 15 minutes. Rinse.

• Subsequent washes: Cold water, mild detergent (no bleach), gentle hand wash or machine on delicate.

• Dry in shade – never direct sunlight.

• Iron on reverse side at medium heat.

Q5. Does Aakrati Vastram offer plus sizes?

Yes. We make kurtis and dresses from XS to 5XL. Our designs are cut to be flattering on all body types.

Q6. Why should I choose Aakrati Vastram over other block print brands?

Because we combine authentic craft with modern design, fair wages for artisans, affordable pricing (₹599 to ₹2499 for most pieces), and a hassle-free return policy. We are not just selling clothes – we are keeping a 500-year-old tradition alive.

Wear a Story, Not Just a Print

Every time you wear a hand-block printed kurta from Aakrati Vastram, you are wearing more than fabric. You are wearing the skill of a master block carver. The patience of a dabu paste applicator. The knowledge of a natural dyer. And the love of a woman – just like you – who chose authenticity over convenience.

India’s block print traditions are too precious to be lost to machines. By choosing authentic Jaipur hand-block, you become a part of the story that keeps this craft alive.

Shop the collection:
👉 Kurtis for Women
👉 Ethnic Dresses
👉 Kurta Sets

Free shipping across India | Easy 7-day returns | Handcrafted in Jaipur with ❤️