How to Batik Paper

Use this process to make wonderful gift wrap, book covers or framed art.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Batik Dyes
• Clotheslines
• Clothespins
• Colored Crayons
• Old Towels
• Waxed Paper
• White Candles
• Waxed Paper
• Paraffin Waxes
• Shallow Baking Dishes Or Pan
• Art Papers
• Paper Towels
• Paper Towels
• Paper towels

1. Lay out waxed paper (wax-side up) over your work area.

2. Lay the paper you're going to batik out on the work surface.

3. Draw your design on the paper using an unlit candle, a crayon, or paraffin wax. Each gives a different effect.

4. Crumple up the paper into a ball once the design is drawn.

5. Uncrumple the paper, and float it in a shallow tray or pan filled with ink or dye until the paper has completely absorbed the color.

6. Use clothespins to hang the paper on a string over an old, thick towel or rug. It will drip, so be sure to use something you don't mind getting stained.

7. Allow the paper to dry.

8. Remove the wax by scraping, or dip the paper in mineral spirits.

9. Repeat the whole process again with another light-colored ink if you had used a light-colored ink at first.

Tips & Warnings

• Choose a light-colored paper to batik.
• Papers with cotton fibers work best.

on 11/22/2005 To make a simple batik, draw a design with chalk on paper, color the design with thick tempera paint, let dry, then cover completely with india ink and let dry. Wash off the ink with a soft paintbrush and water: it will stick to the chalk lines.