Batik
Printing
Under the Guidance of: Mr. R.Karmakar
Prepared By: Neeta Singh

Introduction
• A manual wax-resist dyeing technique.
• Patterns are found mainly in
Indonesia, Malaysia, Japan, China, Azerbaijan, Indi
a, Sri Lanka, Egypt, Nigeria, Senegal, and
Singapore.
• Use of traditional colours including indigo, dark
brown, and white, which represent the three
major Hindu Gods (Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva).
• Unique patterns that normally take themes from
everyday lives, incorporating patterns such as
flowers, nature, animals, folklore or people are

History of Batik Printing
• Existed in Egypt in the 4th century BC, to wrap
mummies. Linen was soaked in wax, and scratched
using a sharp tool.
• Practiced in China during the T'ang dynasty (618-907
CE), and in India and Japan during the Nara period
(645-794 CE).
• As late as the 1920s Javanese batik makers
introduced the use of wax and copper blocks on
Malaysia's east coast. The production of hand drawn
batik in Malaysia is of recent date and is related to
the Javanese batik tulis.

Culture
• Uses include furnishing fabrics, heavy canvas
wall hangings, tablecloths and household
accessories.
• Batik techniques are used by famous artists to
create batik paintings, which grace many
homes and offices.
• In Indonesia, traditionally, batik was sold in
2.25-metre lengths used for Kain Panjang or
sarong for Kebaya dress.
• Batik shirt was invented as a formal non-
Western shirt for men in Indonesia

• Malaysian batik often displays plants and flowers
to avoid the interpretation of human and animal
images as idolatry.
• Also famous for its geometrical designs.
• The patterns being larger and simpler
• Colours tends to be lighter and more vibrant.
• In Thai island of Koh Samui, batik is easily found in
the form of resort uniforms, or decorations at
many places.
• Pattern includescoconut shells, the beaches, palm
trees, the island's tropical flowers, fishing
boats, its rich water life and southern
dancer, Papthalung.

• In China people use a dye resist method for their
traditional costumes.
• Mainly decorated hemp and cotton by applying
hot wax then dipping the cloth in an indigo dye
are used.
• Traditional patterns include the
dragon, phoenix, and flowers.
Javanese court batik in Cirebon batik depicting
deep brown color sea creatures

Painting
Indonesian modern
batik painting
• Out of its traditional context as fabrics with
pattern, batik can also be as a medium for
artists to make traditional or modern paintings
or artworks.
• Such arts can be categorized in the normal
categorization of arts of the west.

Technique
• Cloth is prepared by starching it.
• Then it is stretched on a frame and designs
are traced on it using Paraffin & Bee
Wax(70%+30%).
• The Splash method and the Hand-painting
method are the most commonly used for
waxing purpose.
• And then the cloth is dyed.
• The cloth is later boiled to remove the wax.
The areas covered by wax retain their original
color, thus creating beautiful designs.

Industrialization of Technique
• Methods of applying the wax to the fabric include
pouring the liquid wax, painting the wax with a
brush, and putting hot wax onto pre-carved
wooden or copper block (called a cap or tjap) and
stamping the fabric.
• The copper block (cap) developed by the
Javanese in the 20th century revolutionized batik
production.
• By block printing the wax onto the fabric, it
became possible to mass-produce designs and
intricate patterns much faster than one could
possibly do by using a tjanting tool.

Reference
– SamuiBatik.com - Samui Batik (2010)
– QuaChee & eM.K. (2005) "Batik
Inspirations: Featuring Top Batik Designers".
– www.wikipedia.com/batikprint