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Batik Printing
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Batik is a cloth that involves the process of wax resist dyeing. Batik is found in India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Japan, China, Sri Lanka, Egypt and other African countries, as well.
A technique an ancient as civilization itself, its etymology is traced from the Javanese word amba ('to write') and titik ('dot' or 'point'). It is very simple and can be done by anyone. The areas that are treated with wax retain the base color, when dyed. When the wax is removed the contrast between the dyed and undyed areas gives the pattern.
Process
- The first wax is applied over the penciled-in outline of the pattern. Almost always the original cloth is white or beige.
- The cloth is dyed in the first dye bath. In this case the first dyebath is indigo blue. The area of the cloth where the wax was applied in Step 1 will remain white.
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- Second application of wax is applied. In this case it is a dark brown color. A poorer quality of wax is used to cover larger areas of cloth. The darker color helps to differentiate it from the first wax applied. Any parts that are covered with this wax application will remain the indigo color.
- The cloth is dyed in the second dye bath. In this case it is a navy blue. Any areas that are not covered by wax will become dark blue
- All the wax that has been applied thus far is removed. This is done by heating the wax and scraping it off and also by applying hot water and sponging off the remaining wax.
In the Batik, a series of forms are made- flower motifs, twinning plants, leaves and buds, birds, butterflies, fishes, geometric forms and patterns, small animals and insects.
In India, the popularity of Batik increased after it was adopted as a subject at the Shantiniketan University in Calcutta. In Malaysia, Batik craft was reinvented around 1913.
Batik is engaged on the bags, household linens, murals and wall paintings and these have a great demand in the domestic and international market. The walls of your house can get accentuated with teh batik wall hangings and their bright colors and motifs. Batik printed kurtis, saris and wrappers are the an essential in your wardrobe.
Images sourced from Google search engine with the term 'Batik Printing' |
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