Batik

Batik is a technique of wax-resist dyeing applied to the whole cloth. The word batik originates from the Javanese word "tik" which means to dot. Batik is both a verb (to batik) and a noun (a batik – an object made by batiking!). Batik is usually made on a fabric surface (such as cotton, silk, linen, rayon or hemp), but batik techniques can also be used on paper, wood, leather and even a ceramic surface. To make a batik, selected areas of the design are blocked out by applying hot wax over them, a dye is applied on top and the parts covered in wax resist the dye and remain the original colour. A simple batik may be just one layer of wax and one dye, but this process of waxing and dyeing can be repeated many times if necessary to create more elaborate and colourful designs. After the final dyeing the wax is removed (usually in hot water) and the cloth is ready for wearing or displaying.