Frequently asked questions

Yes. Kalamkari House began in Pedana, in Andhra Pradesh's Krishna district, to bring the work of local artisans to customers beyond our town. Orders are packed and dispatched from Pedana (PIN 521366). Our story →

It depends on the piece: Kalamkari is hand-painted, hand block-printed or screen-printed, and each product page says which under Product details (Technique), along with the fabric. Every piece comes from Pedana and carries its own product number, so we can tell you exactly where it came from. Ask us about any piece.

No, not all. Each product's "Product details" table states its dye type, for example "Printed colours" for screen-printed pieces. If a detail isn't listed yet, ask us before you buy and we'll confirm it for that exact piece.

Turn it over first: hand-applied natural dye soaks through the weave, so the back of genuine Kalamkari shows a softer version of the pattern, while a digital print is usually plain or a faint flat outline on the back. Then look for small variations from one motif to the next — a hand and a carved wooden block are never perfectly uniform, a printer is. New natural-dyed cloth also has a faint earthy smell and feels slightly stiff until washed. How to identify genuine Kalamkari →

They are the two historic styles of Andhra Pradesh. Srikalahasti work is drawn freehand with a pen (kalam), often telling temple stories. Pedana and Machilipatnam work is block-printed with hand-carved wooden blocks, with details finished by hand — a tradition built for textiles meant to be worn and used. Srikalahasti vs. Machilipatnam →

Cotton and silk. Most sarees, dress materials, fabric by the metre and lungis are cotton. The Nizam Border sarees and the pattu dress materials are silk, and the raw silk sets have a raw silk top. The exact fabric of each piece is listed in its product details.

Hand wash in cold or lukewarm water with a mild detergent (or none for the first few washes), no bleach, and don't wring it. Dry in shade, not direct sun, and iron on the reverse on a low-to-medium setting. Some pieces list their own care instructions in their product details — follow those first. Full care guide →

Some colour can release in the first few washes, especially with natural dyes. That's normal, not a defect. Wash the piece separately for its first two or three washes, in cold water. The colour then settles into a softer, still rich tone.

Very close, but colours look slightly different on different screens, and small variations from piece to piece are natural. They aren't a defect.

Orders are packed and handed to our courier within 1–2 business days of payment, then usually take 3–7 business days to arrive, depending on where you are in India. The shipping charge for your PIN code is shown at checkout before you pay. Shipping is free on orders of ₹999 or more. Shipping policy →

Not yet — we currently ship within India only.

Once your order ships you'll get the tracking number by email. Signed-in customers can see it any time under Account → Orders; if you checked out as a guest, use the tracking link in your order confirmation email. Your orders →

Payments are processed by Razorpay. We never see or store your card, UPI or net-banking details.

Please don't pay again. Payments are usually confirmed within minutes, and your order page checks again each time you open it. If the payment never reaches us, your bank returns the money automatically, usually within 5–7 working days. If it isn't sorted within a day, message us on WhatsApp with your order number and the payment ID (it starts with pay_) from Razorpay's email, and we'll confirm your order or make sure you're refunded.

Yes. At checkout, confirm your email address with the 6-digit code we send you, and you can pay as a guest.

No: every piece is bought from the artisans for your order, so we don't take returns or exchanges. Small variations in colour and pattern are natural, not a defect. When your order page shows a Cancel button, you can cancel there for a full refund until the order ships; otherwise, message us on WhatsApp. Returns & replacement policy →

Record a live video while opening the parcel: start before it's opened, show the sealed parcel and its label, and keep recording, without stopping, until the piece is unfolded. The video must be clear and unedited (no cuts, filters or AI). If the piece is damaged, defective or not what you ordered, message us on WhatsApp (the green button at the bottom of every page) within 48 hours of receiving it, with your order number and the video. You can send it any time; we reply Monday to Saturday, 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM. You can also use "Report a problem" on your order page, or email us. Once we've checked it, we send a free replacement of the same piece; if that isn't possible, a full refund. We welcome every genuine report.

Email care@kalamkarihouse.in, call +91 9494139351, or use the contact form. The green WhatsApp button at the bottom of every page opens a chat with us. Contact us →

Yes. From Account → Settings you can download everything tied to your account, or delete your account's personal details at any time. Privacy policy →