Art silk fabric, short for artificial silk, is a synthetic fiber that resembles silk but is typically less expensive to produce. It is made from synthetic fibers like rayon, mercerized cotton, polyester, or a blend of these materials. The first successful artificial silks were developed in the 1890s of cellulose fiber and marketed as art silk or viscose. Although not sold under the name art silk initially, nylon, the first synthetic fiber, was developed in the United States in the late 1930s and used as a replacement for Japanese silk during World War II. Art silk is commonly used in the creation of affordable ethnic attires like sarees, salwar kameez, and lehengas to keep the cost economical.

Art silk fabric retains the luxurious look and feel of silk, making it appealing to a wider number of people across the globe. It is versatile and flows much better than pure silk, making it more malleable and opening up a lot of styling and drape options. Art silk has also been used to create Indo-Western clothing items such as long skirts, kurtis, asymmetric pants, and handbags.

Art silk is much cheaper than real silk, making it a popular choice for those who want the look and feel of silk without the high cost. However, it is important to note that art silk is not real silk and can be passed off as such to unwary buyers. Art silk can be cleaned and treated for stains, but only by a correctly trained professional.