The history of Paithani Saree originated during the Satavahana Empire from 2nd Century B.C. to 2nd Century A.D. The silk handloom gets its name from the town of origin, Paithan, made originally with the finest silk from China and pure zari spun locally. The first Paithani saree was handwoven in Paithan and made for sophisticated buyers. Being one of the highly treasured textiles of the region, the Peshwas, the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb, and the Nizams were the ones to majorly popularise the saree.

A notable turning point for the manufacturing of Paithani Culture Sarees, when production saw a brief setback, was when the weavers relocated to Yeola, Nashik. Paithani weaving was rebirthed in the town during the Industrial Revolution. 

The very first step in the making of a Paithani saree involves weaving the pallu, either with silk warp or with zari. This step takes up the most time, as it is highly intricate, and the saree itself is renowned for its detailed and exquisite borders. It can take anywhere between two days to two weeks for the pallu to be finished, depending on the design or motif being made. No one except highly-skilled artisans is employed to weave the pallu. 

Next, the body of the saree is woven, with distinct borders on both edges. While the designs are almost always preset - the weaver himself can incorporate unique elements as long as the thread count remains the same. Handling the bana and tana is also a very important step in the process. 

On completing every 3-4 inches of the body, a mixture of gum and water is used to polish the zari to keep it stiff. This step is also aimed at sealing loose threads. Primarily, sticky substances like gum, jaggery, etc., are used to polish along with a mixture of other ingredients which, fascinatingly enough, don't leave a stain on the fabric.