Batik Painting Process for Cotton Fabric

Applying wax to fabric

Batik is a technique of fabric painting or dyeing where wax is applied in a pattern so dye cannot penetrate the cloth. Cotton is an excellent choice for batik as it accepts both wax and dye very well.

Preparing Your Fabric

Prepared fabric ready for wax

Wash, dry and iron your cotton fabric. This process eliminates any sizing, dirt or oils that may be on the fabric. Impurities in the fabric can adversely affect how either the wax or the dye works, so be sure and prepare your fabric well.

Choosing Your Wax

Beeswax

There are two types of wax that are traditionally used for creating batik designs: beeswax and paraffin. Soy wax is gaining in popularity since it is a renewable resource; however, it is more difficult to work with. If you like the broken lines in batik prints, use a 2 to 1 mixture of paraffin to beeswax. A 1 to 1 ratio of paraffin and beeswax results in some cracking in the wax, but keeps some clean lines. If you want very precise, unbroken lines, use beeswax only.

Exercise caution when melting the wax, as it has a flash-point of 240 degrees Fahrenheit. The relatively cool temperature of 170 degrees Fahrenheit results in a wax that is liquid enough to penetrate your fabric while eliminating fire hazards. A double boiler is a good choice for melting wax, as is a wax melting pot from craft stores.

Painting Your Design

Fabric dyes are available in a multitude of colors.

Place your prepared fabric on a flat surface, ideally one that will not absorb wax or be harmed by dye. Using a small brush, apply the wax to the fabric in small strokes. The wax should penetrate the fabric. If it looks as though it is sitting on top of the fabric, it has not penetrated. Remember you are placing wax where you do not want dye. Moisten the fabric with lukewarm water to help it take the dye evenly.

Choose your fabric dye colors. If you want only one color, then the entire piece of fabric can be submerged into the dye. If you want multiple colors, use paintbrushes and paint the dye on. The depth of color depends on how much dye you put on the fabric.

Removing the Wax

Ironing removes the wax.

Heat an iron to the cotton setting, without steam. Place paper towels on both sides of the dry fabric and iron over the towels until the wax is heated and absorbed into the paper towels. You will probably have to replace the paper towels many times to get rid of all the wax.

References

• How to Batik Dye
• Batik Instructions
• Fabric Painting