Batik Technique: Batik Ikat, Wrap & Dye

As batik is defined as a technique to decorate cloth using resist methods, we shall introduce another form of batik, called batik ikat. Ikat means to tie in the Malay and Indonesian languages. Batik ikat is not always considered as batik by some of the people in the industry as it is not the usual batik associated with the canting or cap methods traditionally developed by the peoples of the Malay-Indonesian regions.

Batik ikat, like batik tulis, often differs from piece to piece. We owe this to the way this kind of batik is produced. Naturally though, this feature enhances its appeal as each piece is unique. Instead of using wax as a resist for colouring cloths, the resist here used is the natural tying of the cloth. Strategically planned knots at different areas of the cloth are dipped into dyes of varying colours. These can produce various designs in wrap & dye batik such as polka dots, stars, various strips and shape contortions which are sometimes symmetrical in forms.

Often though, they are made mostly for the tourism industry these days, especially in tropical destinations. That having said, the ingenuity of batik ikat makes the creations unique in terms of design and craftmanship, and has its standing among the fashion-conscious and those who go for a different look in their fabrics.