Batik & its Making

What is Batik?

Batik is both an art and a craft, which is becoming more popular and well known in the West as a wonderfully creative medium. The art of decorating cloth in this way, using wax and dye, has been practised for centuries. In Java, Indonesia, batik is part of an ancient tradition, and some of the finest batik cloth in the world is still made there. The word batik originates from the Javanese tik and means to dot.

To make batik, selected areas of the cloth are blocked out by brushing or drawing hot wax over them, and the cloth is then dyed. The parts covered in wax resist the dye and remain the original colour. This process of waxing and dyeing can be repeated to create more elaborate and colourful designs. After the final dyeing the wax is removed and the cloth is ready for wearing or showing.

Contemporary batik, while owing much to the past, is markedly different from the more traditional and formal styles. For example, the artist may use etching, discharge dyeing, stencils, different tools for waxing and dyeing, wax recipes with different resist values and work with silk, cotton, wool, leather, paper or even wood and ceramics.

Batik is historically the most expressive and subtle of the resist methods. The ever widening range of techniques available offers the artist the opportunity to explore a unique process in a flexible and exciting way.

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Batik Making

The word ‘batik’ refers to a hot wax-stamping process (metal or wood block with intricate motif) which is applied onto a plain cloth which is then soaked in dye. The dye-resist process is repeated using another stamping block with different motif. A few more blocks with different motifs are used until the desired design covers the cloth.

Presently, new designs and materials have encouraged the production of batik, appearing versatile at international fashion scenes, locally and abroad.

The design and motif are inspired by flora, fauna, geometric and abstract; sometimes taking a combined stylised formation.

There are three types of application in batik making. The applications are the canting technique, the block technique and the silk-screen technique.

Malaysia has acclaimed batik as one of the nation’s heritage, inherited from the Nusantara common heritage influence. It is believed that batik making begun in the Javanese islands in the 12th century and spread to various places within the Nusantara, including the Malay States of Kelantan and Terengganu. Batik production has now spread throughout Malaysia and found its own design niche which is contemporary, fresh and free style.

Types of application in batik making :-

The Block Batik-Technique

It is amongst the country’s earliest technique in batik making. A block (wood or metal with motif) is applied as stamping objects on to a white cloth, hence the name ‘batik blok’ or ‘batik cop’.

Cotton cloth was once widely used in batik making but the present market has created choices such as using silk and organza which appeal more to fashion, accessories and household use.

The Canting Batik-Technique

This technique is better known as ‘batik lukis’ (drawing batik). It involves using a pod or ‘canting’ which has a narrow pout that flow out hot wax to draw or outline a pattern onto a white cloth. The pattern is then painted with colours which only touch the white cloth. The outlined that is waxed will resist the colour.

Rayon, voile, organza and silk cloths are often used. Design and colour have made batik versatile for fashion wear as well as for accessories, decorations, household items, gifts and souvenirs.

The Screen Printing Batik-Technique

Also known as stencilling or ‘batik stensil atau batik skrin’, it refers to the process of batik making on screen made of polyester.

It is held stretched on a frame the size of the stencil. Screens of different motif designs are prepared, each acquiring just one colour application. The first screen is placed on top of a white cloth for the colouring process.

The process is being repeated with each screen of different motif and colour requirement. Eventually, a complete batik design with authentic colours is formed onto the cloth.