Craft & trust · 6 min read · Updated Jun 20, 2026
GI tags explained for artisans: claiming a Geographical Indication
A Geographical Indication ties a craft to the place that has always made it — Banarasi to Varanasi, Pashmina to Kashmir, blue pottery to Jaipur. For an artisan in that tradition, a GI is both protection and proof.
What a GI actually protects
A GI is a legal recognition that a product's quality or reputation is essentially due to its geographic origin. It protects the name of the craft for the genuine producers of that region, so a power-loom copy made elsewhere can't honestly call itself the real thing.
Who can use a GI
A GI isn't owned by one person — it belongs to the registered producers of the region, usually represented by an association or board. If you make the craft in its home region by the recognised method, you can typically be recognised as an authorised user.
Why it's worth claiming
- It distinguishes your genuine work from mass-market imitations.
- It commands trust — and often a premium — with discerning buyers abroad.
- It protects the livelihood of a whole community of makers, not just yours.
Frequently asked
- How do I prove my product is GI-tagged?
- Through your authorised-user status under the registered GI for your craft and region. Marketplaces that show a GI mark should verify this against the official registry.
- Does a GI raise my price?
- It can. Buyers who value authenticity often pay more for a verified GI piece than for an unmarked equivalent, because the mark removes doubt.