Old Batik Techniques and process:

Old Batik Techniques and process:

Batik constitutes the process wherein a line or a patch is drawn with wax on cloth. This is done so that the surface is protected from the color. When it is dipped in the dye, the color does not penetrate the area that has been waxed. The wax resists the color therefore the surface is divided into dyed and un-dyed areas. This is what makes the pattern. Similarly in Tie and Dye process, the pattern is achieved, as the dye does not penetrate the tied areas of the cloth. Here, you substitute the wax with a string to tie the cloth. Sometimes tools like the tjanting (container with a long slender spout) or even a simple brush can be used to apply the wax. The colors or dyes used have to be prepared only in containers made of enamel, steel or plastic. (The properties of the material of the container can affect the dye).

After waxing, the material is dipped in a dye bath. The first color is the lightest tone to be used. The old process of Batik does not allow the artist to apply many colors in one go. However, the modern techniques have advanced and have made it easy for the artist, wherein one can use the brush to apply many colors in one go!
Next, the cloth is again covered with wax on areas that have to retain the first color. This process continues till the darkest shade is achieved. Always maintain the color scale as the old Batik process involves many steps to obtain a particular shade.
After the last dyeing, the material is dried and placed between two layers of absorbent papers. The wax needs to be ironed out of the material into the paper. This would reveal the pattern or picture that has been permanently dyed into the cloth.

In Batik, whether you employ the old or even the new process, the end result is always an exciting moment and uniquely original. The characteristic of the Batik process is the cracks in the design due to the wax. The wax being brittle, cracks and the dye penetrates the waxed area. This results in the beautiful spider web design wherever the wax has been applied. The Batik fabric being used should generally be a pure form of fabric, like pure cotton or pure silk. Any blend in the material can interfere with the way the colors look after washing.