Batik – the art of decorating cloth using wax and dye - has been practised for many centuries.  This traditional textile technique originated in Asia, and then spread to the Middle East and on to Africa through trading routes.

The production process:

• Selected areas of the cloth are blocked out by brushing or stamping hot wax over them. At Global Mamas, shapes made from foam are dipped in wax and stamped onto the cloth. 
  
  
• The cloth is then dyed another colour, and the parts covered in wax resist the dye and remain the original colour. 
  
  
• This process of waxing and dyeing can be repeated to create more elaborate and colourful designs.  Cracks in the wax create the ‘crackling’ effect on the fabric that is unique to batik.
  
  
• The wax is then removed by placing the fabric in boiling hot water to melt the wax. 
  
  
• Click here to see Sankofa's Batik products

Back to Traditional Techniques?

Foam shapes

Dipping the foam shape in hot wax

Stamping the fabric with the foam shape

Re-dying the fabric

Removing the wax in boiling water

Global Mamas batik drying in the sun