Batik is not printed. It is drawn, stamped, dyed, and repeated—sometimes dozens of times—until a pattern emerges. The process is slow. Wax is applied by hand to resist dye. Fabric is submerged in color. The wax is removed. The process begins again.

What results is not a reproduction. It is cloth that carries the trace of human hands—each line slightly imperfect, each color layered with intention.

There are two traditional methods we use:

Detail shot of batik hand drawing process

The Traditional Way: Hand Drawn BAtik

Batik Tulis

Batik Tulis is also known as Written Batik. In this method, the artisans would use a tool called "Canting" to "write" or draw lines with wax in intricate patterns. The applied wax created resistant for the dye, allowing artisans to color selectively by soaking the cloth in one color, removing the wax, and repeating as desired.

process of handmade batik with copper stamp

Hand Block Batik Print

Batik Cap

Batik Cap, also known as Stamped Batik, is manufactured using a stamp tool. The stamp tool is made of copper plates with motifs on one of the surface. The process after is similar to that of batik tulis: artisan would stamp waxes onto the surface of the fabric, dye the fabric, rinse the wax off and repeat as desired.

Batik was inscribed by UNESCO as a Masterpiece of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. It is not simply a decorative technique. It is a cultural language. Certain patterns were historically reserved for royalty. Others carried spiritual meaning or represented regional identity.

Today, fewer young people are learning batik. The process is too slow. The income too uncertain. Many artisans we work with express the same quiet concern: What happens when we are gone?

We create with batik not to preserve it as artifact, but to prove it still has value. That it belongs in contemporary life. That the time it takes to make something by hand is worth something.

The pieces we create in batik are made to be worn, used, and lived with. They carry the time it took to make them—and the hands that made them possible.

Shop Batik Pieces button

More ways of producing Batik

  • Printed Batik

    Printing is the modernized process of creating batik. In this process, the fabric is fed through a machine in which a special ink is used to stamp the designed pattern. What's great about this method is it created a more affordable batik for all to use!

  • Watercolor Batik

    This process require water-soluble wax or a special paper that resists watercolor pigments. Artists can freely apply watercolor onto fabric or paper treated with the water-soluble wax, allowing the colors to blend and flow in captivating ways while retaining the distinct crackled effect characteristic of batik. This process offers a versatile approach to creating vivid, multi-layered artworks with stunning visual depth and texture.

  • Combination Batik

    Combination batik is a creative approach that blends various batik techniques to produce intricate and unique designs. By incorporating different techniques, artists can achieve diverse textures, patterns, and color effects within a single piece. Combination batik offers endless possibilities for artistic expression, allowing for the creation of visually stunning and multi-dimensional artworks that seamlessly integrate traditional craftsmanship with contemporary innovation.

Want to learn more about batik techniques and regional patterns?

Read our complete guide