# Silk sourcing in India: grades, processes, clusters

> Where to source silk in India: Varanasi, Kanchipuram, Mysuru and more. Common grades to specify, processes, product guides and buying tips, all mapped.

Source: https://sourcesquid.co/india-atlas/materials/silk/

Material · Textile fibre

# Silk. Varanasi, Kanchipuram and Mysuru.

Silk is bought from India as sarees, fabrics, scarves, stoles, cushion covers and rugs. India produces all four commercial silks (mulberry, tussar, eri and muga), with key centres in Varanasi, Kanchipuram, Mysuru, Bhagalpur and Sualkuchi.

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7
    mapped clusters

7
    common grades listed

3
    product guides

Where it is worked · **Silk** 7 clusters

  * __Silk clusters
  *  __Other clusters

Grades and processes

## What to specify.

Grades Indian suppliers quote most often, and the process families that shape this material.

### Common grades

  * Mulberry silk
  * Tussar silk
  * Eri silk
  * Muga silk
  * Silk–cotton blends
  * Spun silk
  * Silk brocade

### Processes

[19 clusters**Weaving & handloom**Warping and sizing · Shuttleless (rapier and air-jet) weaving · Powerloom weaving](https://sourcesquid.co/india-atlas/processes/weaving-and-handloom/)[8 clusters**Dyeing, printing & embroidery**Reactive and pigment dyeing · Hand block printing · Screen and rotary printing](https://sourcesquid.co/india-atlas/processes/dyeing-printing-and-embroidery/)[7 clusters**Home textiles & carpets**Terry towel weaving · Jacquard and dobby weaving · Hand knotting](https://sourcesquid.co/india-atlas/processes/home-textiles-and-carpets/)[7 clusters**Garments & cut-make-trim**Pattern making and grading · Sampling (proto, fit, size set, pre-production) · Fabric and trims sourcing](https://sourcesquid.co/india-atlas/processes/garments-and-cut-make-trim/)

Where to source

## 7 clusters working silk.

Each cluster page covers what the city is known for, its nearest ports and the clusters around it.

[ Uttar Pradesh Major cluster **Varanasi** Banarasi brocade silk, glass beads, wooden toys Weaving & handloomGems & jewelleryWood, cane & furniture ](https://sourcesquid.co/india-atlas/clusters/varanasi/)[ Tamil Nadu Established cluster **Kanchipuram** Silk sarees Weaving & handloom ](https://sourcesquid.co/india-atlas/clusters/kanchipuram/)[ Karnataka Established cluster **Mysuru** Silk, incense sticks, sandalwood Weaving & handloomChemicals & pharma ](https://sourcesquid.co/india-atlas/clusters/mysuru/)[ Bihar Specialist cluster **Bhagalpur** Tussar silk Weaving & handloom ](https://sourcesquid.co/india-atlas/clusters/bhagalpur/)[ Assam Specialist cluster **Sualkuchi** Muga & pat silk Weaving & handloom ](https://sourcesquid.co/india-atlas/clusters/sualkuchi/)[ Madhya Pradesh Specialist cluster **Chanderi – Maheshwar** Handloom silk-cotton sarees Weaving & handloom ](https://sourcesquid.co/india-atlas/clusters/chanderi/)[ Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh Established cluster **Srinagar** Pashmina, hand-knotted carpets, papier-mâché, walnut wood carving Weaving & handloomHome textiles & carpetsWood, cane & furniture ](https://sourcesquid.co/india-atlas/clusters/srinagar/)

Product guides

## Products made from it.

[6 steps · 4 clusters**Hand-knotted and hand-tufted rugs** Design & colour map → Yarn dyeing → Knotting or tufting → Washing or backing → Clipping & finishing → Inspection & packing](https://sourcesquid.co/india-atlas/products/hand-knotted-tufted-rugs/)[7 steps · 7 clusters**Woven garments and fashion apparel** Tech pack & sampling → Fabric & trims → Cutting → Sewing → Washing & embellishment → Finishing & packing → Final inspection](https://sourcesquid.co/india-atlas/products/woven-garments/)[7 steps · 8 clusters**Handloom and block-printed textiles** Yarn preparation → Handloom weaving → Fabric preparation → Hand block printing → Fixing & washing → Embroidery & stitching → Inspection & packing](https://sourcesquid.co/india-atlas/products/handloom-block-printed-textiles/)

Buying tips

## Buy it with confidence.

What to ask for in the RFQ and check when goods arrive.

  * Confirm the silk type and ask for a lab fibre test to rule out synthetic blends.
  * For GI silks such as Kanchipuram or Mysore silk, buy from registered producers.
  * Specify dry-clean or washable finish, and test colour fastness.

Silk questions

## Straight answers.

Anything else, ask us directly. A principal replies, not a bot.

[anirudh@sourcesquid.co](mailto:anirudh@sourcesquid.co)

### What is Banarasi silk?

Banarasi brocade is a rich silk woven in Varanasi with gold or silver zari patterns. Banaras Brocades and Sarees are GI-registered.

### What is the difference between tussar and mulberry silk?

Mulberry silk is fine, smooth and lustrous. Tussar is a wild silk with a natural golden colour and a textured feel.

### Can I get silk scarves made to my designs?

Yes. Weavers in Varanasi and Bhagalpur, and printers in Surat and Mumbai, make silk scarves and stoles to buyer designs.

More materials

## Related materials.

[Textile fibre**Cotton** 10 clusters · Combed and carded yarn (Ne 20s–60s), Organic cotton (GOTS)](https://sourcesquid.co/india-atlas/materials/cotton/)[Textile fibre**Polyester and synthetics** 8 clusters · Polyester filament (FDY, DTY), Polyester staple fibre](https://sourcesquid.co/india-atlas/materials/polyester-synthetics/)[Textile fibre**Wool** 5 clusters · Indian carpet wool, New Zealand wool blends](https://sourcesquid.co/india-atlas/materials/wool/)

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## Named silk suppliers, screened on evidence.

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