Is there a difference between "digital print" and "handloom" in Indian fashion? Why does it matter for wholesale?

This distinction is critically important for wholesale buyers — and it directly affects product positioning, price, and customer trust:

Digital Print: A design is created digitally and printed onto already-woven fabric using inkjet digital printing machines. The pattern is applied after weaving — it sits on the surface of the fabric.

Handloom: The pattern is built into the fabric during weaving — thread by thread. Colour and design are integral to the weave structure, not printed on top. Each piece has natural variations confirming it is hand-woven.

Why it matters for wholesale buyers:

• A digital print "ikat" or "jamdani" is not the same as a genuine handloom ikat or jamdani — and they should not be sold as such
• Pricing should reflect actual craft: digital print ₹200–₹500, genuine handloom ₹800–₹5,000+
• Customers who pay for handloom and receive digital print = returns and trust damage