Frequently Asked Questions
Authenticity & handloom
Are your textiles really handwoven?
Yes. Everything we list on loomed.in is handwoven on traditional looms in Odisha — not powerloom mass production relabeled as “handmade.”
We work on the ground in weaving villages and source directly from weavers and trusted artisan groups. We do not buy anonymous bulk stock from city traders.
How is handloom different from powerloom?
Handloom cloth is woven by hand on a wooden loom — one pass of the shuttle at a time, often after threads have been tied and dyed in the bandha (ikat) tradition.
Powerloom cloth is machine-made at high speed. It can imitate patterns visually, but it lacks the depth, slowness, and human variation of true handloom.
Handloom often shows slight irregularities in motif alignment or thread tension. That is normal — and often a sign of authenticity, not poor quality.
What does GI-certified mean?
GI (Geographical Indication) is an official mark that a product originates from a specific region and meets defined standards of that region’s tradition.
For Odisha handloom — including weaves like Sambalpuri bandha — GI certification helps confirm origin and authenticity. Where applicable, we prioritise GI-certified and Handloom Mark textiles and verify at source.
Not every beautiful handloom piece may carry a tag, but we describe weave type and origin clearly on every listing.
How do I know my saree is authentic Sambalpuri / Bomkai?
Look for:
- Bandha (ikat) patterns that are woven in, not printed on the surface
- Motif alignment that follows the weave structure (printing sits on top)
- Product details on our listing: weave type, region, fabric, and photos of borders and reverse side
If you ever have doubts after receiving your order, contact us with your order number — we stand behind what we sell.
How we source & why we’re different
How is loomed.in different from other online saree stores?
Most online stores buy from traders and warehouses in cities. Stock passes through many hands; markups stack up; the weaver’s story is lost.
loomed.in works differently:
- We source on the ground in Odisha, in weaving villages
- We work directly with weavers and artisan groups
- Orders are packed and shipped from the weaving region — not a central warehouse
- We focus on authentic Odisha handloom — Sambalpuri, Bomkai, Pasapalli, and more
Fewer middlemen. More transparency. Fairer value for artisans.
Do you share weaver names or village details?
Where weavers and communities are comfortable, we share region, weave type, and craft context on product pages and in our story. Handloom is personal work — we respect privacy and never treat artisans as marketing props.
Our promise is traceability and honesty, not performative storytelling.
Why do prices vary so much between handloom pieces?
Price reflects labour, material, and complexity:
- Silk vs cotton — silk and tussar require costlier yarn and longer weaving time
- Bandha complexity — finer ikat with more colours and motifs takes weeks to tie, dye, and weave
- Border and pallu work — Bomkai and heavy threadwork add significant labour
- Fair sourcing — we agree pricing with weavers before listing; very cheap “handloom” online is often not handloom at all
You are paying for time, skill, and authenticity — not factory volume.
Orders, shipping & delivery
Where do you ship from?
From Odisha — from the weaving region where your piece was made or prepared. We do not hold large city warehouse inventory.
That means your textile takes a direct path from the artisan ecosystem to you, with careful packing along the way.
How long will my order take to arrive?
Typical timelines:
Order confirmation — Within 24 hours
Packing & dispatch — 2–5 business days(handloom may need fresh finishing)
Delivery (India) — 5–10 business days depending on location
Remote areas may take longer. During festivals or peak weaving season, dispatch may extend slightly — we will inform you if there is a delay.
Do you ship across India?
Yes. We ship pan-India to most serviceable PIN codes. Enter your PIN at checkout to see availability and charges.
Do you ship internationally?
International shipping is coming soon. Join our email list or follow us on Instagram for updates.
How is my item packed?
Handloom deserves respect in transit. We useprotective packaging— folded carefully, wrapped to avoid crease damage and moisture, and sealed securely for courier handling. We avoid treating textiles like disposable commodity goods.
Will I receive tracking information?
Yes.Once your order is dispatched, you will receive atracking linkby email/SMS (depending on your courier integration).
Returns, exchanges & issues
What is your return policy?
We want you to love what you receive. If there is a genuine issue — wrong item, significant undisclosed damage, or a material mismatch from the listing — contact us within 7 days of delivery with photos and your order number.
Because each handloom piece is unique and often made to order from village stock, we handle returns case by case with fairness to both you and the weaver.
We generally cannot accept returns for:
- Change of mind after purchase
- Minor handloom variations that are normal for artisan work
- Items with tags removed, worn, washed, or altered
Full details are in our Refund Policy page.
Can I exchange for a different colour or design?
Exchanges depend on availability with the same weaver or cluster. Email or WhatsApp us with your order details — we will do our best to help.
My order arrived damaged. What should I do?
Contact us within 48 hours with:
- Your order number
- Clear photos of the packaging and product
- A brief description of the issue
We will work with you on replacement, repair guidance, or refund as appropriate.
Product details & sizing
What is included when I buy a saree?
Most saree listings include:
- Saree length — typically 5.5 metres (confirm per product)
- Blouse piece — usually included unless stated otherwise
- Fabric content — cotton, silk, tussar, or blend as listed
Always check the individual product description for exact inclusions.
How do I choose the right saree length or dress piece size?
For sarees, standard 5.5 m fits most draping styles. For dress pieces and fabric lengths, we list metreage in the product details.
If you need extra length for a particular drape or tailoring, message us before ordering.
Will the colour match the photos exactly?
We photograph in natural light and describe colours honestly. Screen settings (phone, laptop) can shift how maroon, indigo, and gold appear.
Handloom dye batches can also vary slightly — another normal trait of artisan production, not a defect.
Why does my saree look slightly different from the website photo?
Handloom isnot machine-identical. Small differences in motif spacing, shade, or border alignment can occur between pieces from the same weave family. That is part of what makes your pieceone of a kind.
Care & longevity
How should I care for handloom sarees and textiles?
General guidance (adjust for silk vs cotton on each product):
- First wash: Dry clean or gentle hand wash separately, as recommended on the label
- Storage: Fold with muslin/cloth; avoid long-term plastic wrapping
- Iron: Low heat; iron on reverse where possible
- Sun: Avoid prolonged direct sun — natural dyes can fade over time
When in doubt, dry clean is the safest option for silk and complex bandha weaves.
Can I machine wash?
Wedo not recommendmachine washing for most Sambalpuri ikat and silk handlooms. Cotton pieces may tolerate gentle hand wash — see the product page for specific care notes.
Payments & orders
What payment methods do you accept?
We accept payment methods enabled at checkout — typically UPI, credit/debit cards, net banking, wallets, and Cash on Delivery (COD) if you have enabled it.
All payments are processed securely.
Is Cash on Delivery (COD) available?
We currently accept prepaid orders only to reduce failed deliveries and protect weavers from unnecessary returns.
However, if you are fine to bear the shipping cost in advance, we are happy to ship to you with COD.
Once order is placed, share us the order number through WhatsApp/email and we will be in touch with you.
Can I cancel or change my order?
Contact usas soon as possibleafter placing your order. If packing has not started at the weaver end, we may be able to cancel or modify. Once dispatched, cancellation is not possible — return rules apply.
Do you take custom orders or bulk orders?
Yes, for select weaves and weaver availability. Custom colours, motifs, or bulk quantities require lead time — often several weeks to months for true bandha work.
Share your requirement via our Contact page with quantity, weave type, and timeline. We will respond with feasibility and pricing.
Still have questions ?
We would rather answer honestly than oversell.
Email: enquiry@loomed.in
Contact page: Reach us
Instagram: @loomedindia
We usually respond within 1–2 business days.