Block print and Bandhani are both cherished Indian textile crafts, but they're made in completely different ways — and knowing the difference helps you shop smarter.
Block print: carved wooden stamps
In block printing, artisans carve a design into a wooden block, dip it in dye and stamp it repeatedly across the fabric. The look is crisp and repeating, with motifs from florals to the geometric grids of Ajrakh. Explore our Block Print Kurtis.
Bandhani: tie and dye
Bandhani is a resist tie-dye. Thousands of points are tied off before dyeing, creating the signature dotted pattern once untied. The effect is soft-edged and organic rather than stamped. See our Bandhani Kurtis.
How to tell them apart
Block prints show clean, repeating shapes with visible motif edges; Bandhani shows clusters of small round dots with a slightly blurred halo. Block print suits everyday wear; Bandhani leans festive.
Want the full story? Read What is Bandhani print.