A PowerPoint presentation about Batik which is a resist-dyeing process used for decorating fabric.

1. by
Bernard E. Richardson
Master Teacher|Visual Arts Educator|2022

2. Introduction
What is Batik?
• Batik means ‘wax writing’ derived from the Javanese word ‘amba’ which means to write.
• It is the art of decorating fabric using wax as a resist-dyeing technique.
• The melted wax is applied to fabric so that it resists the dye and thus creating a pattern.
• The melted wax is applied to fabric so that it resists the dye or blocks the colour when
the dye is applied. Those parts of the fabric covered with wax will remain white or the
original colour.
• The fabric undergoes a delicate and repeated process of waxing, dyeing and dewaxing
before it is complete.

3. Introduction
• It is an ancient resist-dye process/technique which dates back to the sixth century AD.
Brief History
• The concept of batik came from Egypt where they used batik fabrics to wrap mummies.
It is known that a liquid or paste starch was used as a resist instead of wax.
• In 4th century BC the Greeks invaded India. This movement of people saw the movement
of many goods including Textiles. The techniques and methods of weaving and cloth
painting and dye also spread throughout Asia.
• About 300 or 400 AD the technique of batik was introduced to the Javanese people in
Indonesia who have developed in their own unique manner and to a high degree of
excellence admired up to today.

4. • Indonesia
• Japan
• China
• Batik became a widely developed art by the 13th Century. The traditional
technique of manual resist-dyeing has been practiced widely in many countries:
• Sri Lanka
• Nigeria
• Senegal
• Malaysia
• India
• Singapore
• Today even though it is practiced in many countries, batik is a deep rooted skill and art
practiced in the island of Java in Indonesia.
Brief History

5. Wax
• Is the basic ingredient need for batik.
• Beeswax is soft, adheres well to the fabric and is flexible.
• Paraffin is more brittle, cracks easily and lets the dye penetrate
wherever cracks form.
• Traditionally a satisfactory batik wax mixture is made from a
mixture of 1/3 beeswax and 2/3 paraffin (candle) wax.
• This mixture allows for proper adherence of wax to the fabric
and creating the “crackle” effect, a characteristic of batik
works.
a. Tools and Materials
The Process of Batik
First the tools and materials needed for the process must be gathered.
• Tools include t’janting, t’jap stamp, brushes (used to apply the wax); wax pot; and
iron.
• Materials include wax, fabric, dyes and newspaper.

6. Tools and Materials
Brushes
• Used for applying the wax to the fabric.
• For filling in shapes and large areas and creating textures.
• Flat brushes of natural bristles are suited.
• Size ranges from ½ inch to 3 inches wide.
T’jap
• Used to stamp a repeat pattern onto the fabric after dipping it
into the molten wax.
• This is a metal printing block or stamp with an intricate design
and made from copper.
• Pronounced ‘chops’.
• A squiggly potato masher can be used.

7. Tools and Materials
T’janting
• Pronounced ‘chan-ting.
• A Javanese tool used for applying molten wax to the fabric.
• It consists of a bulbous metal cup or reservoir attached to a wooden handle. The cup has a
thin spout leading from its base, through which the wax flows while being applied.
• This tool is used to draw a pattern directly onto fabric using very fine lines and to create
detail. These areas will resist dye when applied.

8. Tools and Materials
Fabrics
• Fabrics made from natural fibers are best suited for batik.
• Cotton
• Linen
• Batik artists mostly use COTTON fabric for their designs.
• Muslin
• Poplin
COTTON fabric is easy to work with:
• There are several types of cotton fabrics:
• 100% Pure cotton • Woven cotton fabrics
• Dyed cotton
• It absorbs wax and dye easily
• The wax is easily removed.
• Silk
• Voile
• Rayon
• Ramie

9. Tools and Materials
• Pigment is needed to add colour to the designs on fabric
Dyes
• For traditional batiking Natural dyes are used. They are made from plants:
• For contemporary batiking synthetic dyes are used. They include:
•Tumeric
•Marigold Flower
•Eucalyptus
•Indigo
•Pomegranate Rind
•Madder
• Vat dyes
• Procion dyes
• Naphthol dyes
• Remasol dyes

10. Tools and Materials
Wax pot
Wooden frames
Old newspapers
• Used for stretching the fabric and hold it taut while applying the wax.
• An ordinary picture frame or painting canvas frame can be used
• This is used to melt the wax.
• You can even use an electric frying pan for this. This process should
be done very carefully, and the wax should be overheated as it may
cause a fire.
• Used to help in removing the wax from the fabric
• Place the fabric between layers of newspaper and iron with a hot iron
to melt the wax.
Iron
• Needed to melt the wax so it can be removed from the fabric after
the dyeing process is finished.

11. b. Applying the Wax and Dyeing
• Wax is applied using either a tjanting, brush or tjap stamp.
The Process of Batik
• When dyeing with many colours, the process of applying wax
then dye is repeated over and over to create complex multicolored
designs.
• It prevents dye from penetrating the fabric, leaving "blank" areas
when the fabric is dyed.
• When applying the wax it must be of the right temperature so
that it penetrates the fabric. The wax should appear clear
indicating it is hot enough and has penetrated through the fabric.
(If it turns yellowish and sits on top the fabric it is not hot
enough.
• Begin with the lightest or brightest colour. The last colour should be the darkest colour
example black, navy blue or indigo depending on the colourscheme being used.

12. Health & Safety
• The wax must be heated in order to carryout the wax application process.
1. Be careful not to heat the wax to no more than 240˚F, it can give off a
toxic smoke or burst into flames.
2. Work in a well ventilated space/outdoors (just incase the wax gives off
fumes).
3. If there is a flame – DO NOT douse flaming wax with water. Get a wet
rag and cover the wax pot or use a fire extinguisher.
4. The wax is very hot. Do not put your hands in the wax pot and be careful
not to let it drip on you or those around you.
5. Do not leave wax unattended.
6. Do not allow water to get into wax pot, it will bubble up and splatter all
over and may cause a flame.
7. When using the iron, remember it is hot and be careful not to get burn.
Turn it off and unplug it after use.

13. Batik Techniques
• Indonesia and in particular the island of Java is famous for creating batik using with
wax as a resist and using the t’janting and t’jap stamp.
There are many different ways of doing batik some of which are expressed in this
presentation.
1. DRIPPING
• Using a brush, the wax is applied or allowed to drip in droplets
onto the fabric forming its own design or pattern.
• After cooling the fabric is dipped in the dye bath.

14. 2. CRACKLING
• The entire fabric is dipped into the wax.
• It is removed and allowed to cool.
• After cooling it is crushed or crumpled to form cracks all over.
• It is dipped in the dye bath so that the dye penetrates through
the cracks into the fabric.
3. BRUSHING
• Using a brush, the wax is applied to areas of the fabric to be
designed.
• It is then dipped into the dye bath.

15. 4. SPLASHING
• This technique is achieved by simply dipping the brush into
the wax and carefully splashing it onto the fabric.
• It is then dipped in the dye bath.
5. STENCILING
• First a stencil is made of the design to be put on the fabric.
• Place the stencil onto the fabric.
• Using a brush, apply the wax into the cut out areas of the stencil.
• Dip the fabric into the dye bath.

16. 6. STAMPING
• This technique is done by using an object which has a raised or
design surface
• This ‘stamp’ is known as a T’JAP stamp. (A potato crusher, a
spool from a thread… may be used)
• It is dipped into the wax and then stamped onto the fabric.
• The fabric is then dipped into the dye bath.
• For this sample, the tines of a metal fork was used as a stamp.
A simple potato crusher is a good stamping tool.
7. OVER BATIKING
This technique is achieved by
• Using a piece of tie dyed fabric and waxing in some of the
areas in a desired pattern.
• Then the fabric is dipped a second time in the dye bath (a
darker colour) and the wax removed when it is dry.

17. 8. SNEAK BATIK
This technique is done by
• First drawing on your design with wax using a t’janting or
brush.
• Then the dye is painted in using a brush.
• Usually done where several colours make up the design. The
colours are painted in individually.
9. REVERSE BATIK
• By waxing in the background around the design.
• Dip the fabric into the dye bath and the background will
resist the dye.

18. c. Dewaxing and Clean up
• The wax can be removed using one of two methods:
The Process of Batik
1. Boiling the wax out or 2. Ironing the wax out
Boiling method
• The batik fabric is immersed in
hot water; use a long utensil or
stick to stir the pot and melt the
wax.
• The wax comes to the top and
must be skimmed off.
• The skimmed wax should not
be reused as it now contains
water and will splatter when
heated.
Ironing method
• The wax is removed by placing the
batik fabric between layers of
absorbent paper (brown wrapping
paper or old news paper are most
suitable).
• Press with a hot iron.
• Keep changing the paper until
there is no more wax to be
removed from the fabric

19. Conclusion
Batik is a very important type of Art work not only in Indonesia but around
the world today. It has become an art that is practiced in many cultures.
It is not just wearable art but the technique is used to create works of art
which artists hang on walls as wall art.
Batik Wall Art and Wearable Art

20. RESOURCES
BOOKS
• Belfer, Nancy. (1977). Batik and tie dye techniques. New York: Dover Publications Inc.
• Broughton, Kate. (1995). Textile dyeing. Massachusetts: Rockport Publishers
• Kafka, Francis J. (1973). Batik, tie dyeing, stenciling, silkscreen, block printing the hand
decoration of fabrics. New York: Dover Publications Inc.
• Sieupersad, Allan. (2009). Longman visual arts for secondary schools. Essex: Pearson education
Limited.
INTERNET SOURCES
• Singh, Neeta. (2012). Batik printing. [Online] Available: https://www.slideshare.net/vindorker/batik-
printing?gid=d9e22c7c-c95e-4e13-b772-8cc2d6e9299a&v=&b=&from_search=5
• Dharma Trading Company. (2019). Batik. [Online] Available:
https://www.dharmatrading.com/techniques/batik/batik-information-supplies.html
• Batik Institute. (2020). Batik tools and batik materials.[Online] Available:
https://batikinstitute.com/batik-tools-and-materials/

21. Image Courtesies
• https://www.consortiumeducation.com/berol-batik-dyes
• https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dharmatrading.com%2Ftechniques%2Fbatik-
instructions.html&psig=AOvVaw1-oa-
lQe6I998V40FEhuos&ust=1645359009719000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAsQjRxqFwoTCLj07ZDei_YCFQAAAAAdA
AAAABAY
• https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.kremer-pigmente.com%2Fen%2Fshop%2Fdyes-vegetable-color-
paints%2F37220-turmeric-
powder.html&psig=AOvVaw2vPYc1sKabe6bV059GBMGe&ust=1645363551704000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAgQjRx
qFwoTCNDBpIjvi_YCFQAAAAAdAAAAABAU
• https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.indiamart.com%2Fproddetail%2Fmadder-dye-
4017245612.html&psig=AOvVaw0O5bQY0lON67Oein5q7FhZ&ust=1645365146831000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAg
QjRxqFwoTCJiXvP70i_YCFQAAAAAdAAAAABAD
• https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.joom.com%2Fen%2Fproducts%2F6089487e91a7bc017c5c5718
&psig=AOvVaw3ClEoF2bYMu2HZT-
9_7TbT&ust=1645365816779000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAgQjRxqFwoTCKjvwLv3i_YCFQAAAAAdAAAAABAD
• https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pinterest.com%2Fpin%2F545217098611547056%2F&psig=AOv
Vaw00joaZ3yEmzkrLgUJ8-
fgt&ust=1645365616793000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAgQjRxqFwoTCPiYlNX3i_YCFQAAAAAdAAAAABAV
• https://5.imimg.com/data5/PS/WS/MY-123318/paraffin-wax-fully-refined-500x500.jpg
• https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e1/Pure_Natural_Beeswax_Blocks.jpg
• https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.flickr.com%2Fphotos%2Fheatheronhertravels%2F26061175712
&psig=AOvVaw0qNZqvNCn-
ALjXYon0Yd_U&ust=1646335455566000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAgQjRxqFwoTCKi8_tOTqPYCFQAAAAAdAAA
AABAD
• https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmalaysianmeanders.blogspot.com%2F2013%2F08%2Fa-crash-course-
in-batik-
painting.html&psig=AOvVaw36S3sIOFquZAgiThCFwkMr&ust=1646335874083000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAgQjRx
qFwoTCIj-xJ6VqPYCFQAAAAAdAAAAABAD
• https://images.thedailystar.net/sites/default/files/feature/images/batik.jpg

22. The End