The word batik comes from the term
titik, a dot, point or drop, referring to the wax dots that make up the pattern. The word itself has three distinct meanings.
First, batik refers to the actual process of applying melted wax to cloth (or other surfaces) by hand, then dyeing the cloth. The wax acts as a resist to the dye colors.
- Batik
tulis, meaning "writing", is waxed completely by hand using the canting tool. This is the most expensive batik due to the long process and high level of skill needed. You'll see slight differences in the thickness of the wax line, and the details show variation in size or shape.
- Batik
cap (chop) is waxed with the copper stamp called a cap. This also takes skill to create an even pattern on the cloth, but it's much faster to make than batik tulis. You'll notice a set thickness to the lines because they're all the same from the width of the copper strips. Also, if you open the cloth and let your eye blur slightly, you can sometimes notice the shape of the stamp is separated a bit from the one next to it. Batik cap is the least expensive of hand-processed batiks.
- Batik
kombinasi combines both techniques on one cloth. First the main design is waxed with a cap, then the batiker adds details with the canting. Batik kombinasi is priced in the mid-range.
Secondly, the word applies to the finished product itself – a batik cloth.
Third, the word has come to mean the patterns themselves. So some would say a cloth that has been screen printed to look like batik, but was not made with wax or dyes, is batik also.
Unfortunately, these screen-printed cloths have become so widespread, that most people cannot tell the difference between hand made, wax processed batiks and screen-printing. With new technology, the quality of these screen-printed fabrics can be extremely difficult to distinguish between them and original batiks. One indication is their low price since no hand work is involved.
Batik – Garment of the CenturiesOne thing for non-Indonesians to realize is that for hundreds of years, the batik kain panjang, 2.5 meter-long cloth, was wrapped around the body and worn every day by commoners and royalty alike. This was the garment industry in a sense. Up until the late 1970s, early '80s, many women wore only batik kain panjang. By the 1960s batik fabric was made up into blouses, skirts, men's shirts and other garments.
Gradually more modern dress replaced batik for everyday use. Now men and women often wear traditional batik for special occasions only. On the streets, however, the batik patterns are quite visible, many on silkscreened modern clothing styles.
Indonesians sometimes devalue batik as "just a garment." It's not something special, it's just what you wear everyday. Our task as carriers of this heritage is to make people aware of this long history and the unique quality of Indonesian batik, found no where else in the world.
Article Source:
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