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INKA

A lot of craft and a little bit of magic

Our artisans

Our highly skilled artisans are at the core of what we do.

Our people

We have a tradition of supporting our artisans beyond their careers at Inka.

Our footprint

We are committed to moving forward consciously and considerately.

ABOUT US

Welcome to Inka

Welcome to Inka, where artistry, tradition, and a passion for craftsmanship converge. Our journey started in a small boutique where we showcased bespoke creations, each intricately crafted using the traditional technique of hand block printing. What started as a creative endeavour soon evolved into a mission to preserve and uplift the craft, all while staying true to its traditional roots.

Inka is a direct reflection of the artisans themselves, and we immerse into the intricacies of block carving and printing on the workshop floor. At Inka, we're not just creating beautiful linens; we're weaving stories, nurturing communities, and honouring centuries-old traditions. Each piece in our collection is a testament to the collaborative spirit between our founder the designer, and the talented artisans who bring her visions to life.

There's a certain magic in seeing a new design unfold on fabric—one block at a time. It's an inspiring process that reminds us of the limitless possibilities of hand-block printing as an art form.

Indu Kapahi
CO-founder and Creative Director
indu@inka.co.in

Indu is an artist at heart.

As the founder and creative heart behind Inka, I am dedicated to crafting hand block printed bed linen that embodies the elegance of Indo-French design—a rich heritage that has influenced European aesthetics since the 18th century. My passion is to revive these classic designs through the meticulous art of block printing, creating textiles that are not only high-quality but also practical for everyday home use.

Inka is my artistic outlet, where each design is born from the skillful hands of craftsmen who carve intricate patterns into wooden blocks. These designs are then brought to life by our talented block printers, whose expertise continues to inspire me. Expanding my artistic expression, I have introduced tableware in porcelain and stonecraft, featuring my hand-created designs through digital transfers. This latest addition underscores my commitment to combining artistic beauty with functional design.

ABOUT US

Our Artisans

The printing crafts we use at Inka –  block and silkscreen printing  – take time and skill to master so our highly skilled artisans are at the core of what we do. Dedicated to their art, their commitment and eye for detail is integral to the care that goes in to making every product. Intricately carved wooden blocks make fabrics appear to have been painted by hand, while using silkscreens gives a richly coloured finish. Each design is first carefully drawn and refined before being made into a print and our colours are specially mixed at the studio itself. The details that come, often unexpectedly, from all this work are beautifully imperfect and reflect each artisan’s wonderful craft.

Hand block printing

Our Artisans at work

Our Footprint

Our love is home, both our own and the wider one we share. Our goal is to protect this gift. So we’re producing our home linen in smaller, less wasteful quantities, we’re using decontamination processes to ensure the water we release from manufacturing isn’t harmful to the environment. We’re using azo-free colours that are clear of harmful toxins. We’re eliminating the use of plastic wherever possible, making sure our minimal packaging is reusable and upcycling our waste fabrics. While we’re not yet perfect, the environmental issues of our changing world are clear and Inka is committed to moving forward consciously and considerately.

Community

Hand printing crafts in India have often been subjected to the unfairness of informal business. To provide  greater security and autonomy to all our employees, we ensure they each have a formally registered bank account and access to structured regulated finance opportunities. This means they can plan for their and their families’ futures. We also have a tradition of supporting our artisans beyond their careers at Inka. We mentor former employees in their independent ambitions to start printing businesses by providing raw materials, client introductions and guidance. In this way we feel we can really help support a thriving ecosystem of artisans in India.