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What is batik?

Batik is a resist dyeing process where wax is used as a barrier for the dye. It is a traditional technique from Indonesia which has become popular around the world.

Batik can be used to colour fabrics and create a design by:

• acting as a border or outline when painting the fabric with different colours
• acting as a barrier for layers of different colours as the fabric is dyed multiple times

Tools and equipment

• Dyes - mix using manufacturer’s instructions.
• Wax pot.
• Tjanting - tools with a wooden handle and a metal spoon with a well for the wax.
• Metal or wooden printing blocks - to print wax onto fabric.
• Hot water in a saucepan - to melt the wax off the material.
• Iron - to melt the wax off the material.
• Newsprint - to wrap around wax-covered material when ironing to remove the wax.
• Protective clothing.

Step-by-step guide

1) Mix dye following manufacturer’s instructions. Pour into a jug or dye bath.

2) Wash fibres, yarns, fabrics or material to be dyed, to make sure it’s clean and remove any impurities which could affect the dyeing process.

3) Turn on wax pot so that the wax melts. Place tjantings into the wax pot so that they heat up.

4) Using a tjanting, draw your design onto the fabric. Make sure that the wax is hot enough to show on the fabric. If you can’t see your waxed line, the wax isn’t hot enough, this also means that the dye will bleed under the waxed line. Or, if using a printing block, dip your block into the liquid wax and stamp it onto the fabric.

5) Dip fabric in dye bath, stir and leave to soak.

6) Remove fabric from dye bath.

7) Rinse fabric in running water until water runs clear.

8) Leave fabric to dry.

9) To remove wax - boil fabric in hot water, the wax will melt off the fabric and float to the top of the water. Or, sandwich batik fabric between layers of newsprint. Iron the batik/newsprint sandwich to melt the wax. The newsprint will absorb the liquid wax and protect the iron from being covered in wax.

For the outline method, draw or print your design onto the fabric using the liquid wax and a tjanting or printing block. You can then colour in your design using ink and a paint brush.

For the layering method:

1. Draw or print your design onto the fabric.
2. Dye the lightest colour, see steps 5-8 above.
3. Then draw or print another layer of wax on top.
4. Dye the fabric your second colour, repeat.
5. Remove wax as described in step 9 above.