Melo Villareal
Batik Making in Yogyakarta
During our recent visit to Yogyakarta, we visited Batik Indah Rara Djonggrang – a batik factory that offers an immersive experience to its visitors. Guests are always welcomed with open arms in batik-making shops in Yogyakarta, where everyone can learn the step-by-step process of making a Batik fabric.
However, Batik is the process or rather an art where bell-shaped metal and a tjanting are dipped and then filled with wax. People here are willing to give you a quick recount of the process of batik-making.
If you visit to browse the batiks and probably purchase some, many batik-making centers in Yogyakarta, like Batik Indah Rara Djonggrang. Scheduling a visit is also very simple.
You can ask a local tour operator to help you plan for your visit to any batik-making centers, or you may go directly to any batik-making shops if you know how to navigate the city.
Indah Rara Djonggrang is one of the most popular batik-making centers in Yogyakarta.
When you arrive, you will find the batik-making process, which takes place at the back of the shop. The center has excellent services, with a tour guide who can speak fluently in English.
The guide will explain everything you need to know about the process of batik making, making learning very interesting. The demonstration of how batik is made is quite brilliant, with copper blocks, which are of intricate designs.
Batik Indah Rara Djonggran is a large batik factory outlet with a variety of batiks to choose from. You can have one tailor-made for you in high quality and excellence.
Visiting Indah Rara Djonggrang will give you a clear idea of how the batik is made and the actual effort that goes into handmade batik. Additionally, people here will let you make your own batik as you are guided by the experts.
You will learn everything from wax on, wax off, and dye coloring. Besides, prices at Indah Rara Djonggrang are not fixed, and you can bargain down if you want. It is an amusing experience for a little trip.
It is also worth noting that you can quickly get scammed and get sold a fake batik. For this reason, it is probably a good idea to take precautions. A genuine batik usually does not have a front or back; instead, the dye passes through the material, forming a distinguishable pattern in front and back.
Whereas a fake batik is not handmade but rather machine-made, the dye only appears on one side, and if flipped over, it will be pretty obvious that it is the wrong side.
Even though technology has made it quite possible to silkscreen a batik motif onto a cloth, what people love is the ingredient of human touch.
That is why many batik makers in Yogyakarta have not entirely ditched using their hands. The markers transfer their soul through the hands and into the cloth over a long creation process.
Indonesian batik fabric is an inherent part of their lives, culture, and heritage. The most revered batik fabric is the Javanese. The knowledge and the process of making batik are usually passed down from generation to generation.
The Process of making batik
Batik refers to the “resist” process of making designs on a fabric. The batik creators use wax to stop the dye from penetrating the cloth and leave blank areas on the dyed cloth. The waxing process can be repeated to create an intricate multicolored design.
Experts in batik making repeatedly wax as well as tub dying to achieve their desired final results. Though the output is excellent, this method requires mastery of mixing color and over-dying.
This is because as each level of dye is smeared over the last, a new color is formed. Don’t worry; you don’t have to be an expert batik maker to get beautiful results and enjoy the process.
Ingredients
Below are the basic requirements if you want to make batik yourself.
- You can use any natural fiber, such as rayon, hemp, or cotton.
- Melting pot
- Quality Wax
- A newsprint paper
You can use this equipment to apply wax.
- Tjantings
- Batik dropper pen
- Flat brush. It is recommended to use natural bristles as synthetic ones melt.
- Potato mashers
The tube dying apparatus includes;
- Dyer’s salt. An additive-free plain salt can also be used.
- Fiber reactive dyes.
- Soda ash
- Bucket
- A professional textile detergent like synthrapol
- Measuring spoons as well as cups
- A stirring stick or you can also use a big spoon
The methods of waxing and tub dying.
Tub dying is the process of dying a solid color on a particular material. The process involves using a repeated layer of wax and an applied dye on the cloth, resulting in an overlapping multicolor design. Doing multiple layers will require dying the colors from lightest to darkest.
Step 1: Start with washing your fabric to ensure there are no impurities and the best detergent that is also widely used is Synthrapol.
Step 2: Dye first a few fabrics using different base colors.
Step 3: Melt the premix batik wax. You can use a small melting pot if you are working on a small project.
Step 4: Use a frame or a hoop to stretch your fabric.
Step 5: Begin to apply wax using the tools of your liking. A point worth noting is that you should check the temperatures when waxing to allow swift penetration through the fabric.
Step 6: Tube dye your fabric, starting with the lightest color that will easily mix with successive colors.
Step 7: Rinse the fabric, then wash it gently in a detergent, which, in our case, is Synthrapol. Allow the fabric to dry. Avoid using hot water, as this might melt your wax.
Step 8: For each color, repeat steps 2 to 6 above.
Step 9. Boil the wax out in a pot using water, Synthrapol, or any detergent you choose. You can also iron out the wax by using absorbent paper.
Step 10: Use a washing machine to wash your fabric in synthrapol to remove any remaining dye and dry your fabric.
Finally, you can sew, quilt, wrap, or if it dazzles you so much, you can just hang it up.
Indah Rara Djonggrang Batik CV
Address: Jl. Tirtodipuran No.18, Mantrijeron, Kota Yogyakarta, Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta 55143, Indonesia
Phone: +62 274 375209
Thanks to Cebu Pacific and the Ministry of Tourism of Indonesia for inviting #TeamOutofTown to visit and experience Yogyakarta, Indonesia.
Batik Making Class in Yogyakarta
Unlock the secrets of Batik making, an ancient art form recognized by UNESCO as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Immerse yourself in a creative journey of discovery and explore the unique beauty of this timeless craft.
Yogyakarta Travel and Tour Packages
Check out our complete list of recommended Hotels in Yogyakarta via Agoda, or you may also see available Airbnb properties in the city.
Also see:
- Top 23 Best Things to do in Yogyakarta, Indonesia
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