Batik: A Process to Create a Masterpiece

Batik is a term which is quite famous in Indonesia. Even people who are not from this country can be very familiar with this term. There is no doubt about it because batik is chosen often as a souvenir. More importantly, people in Indonesia also value batik the most as part of their culture. Many people think that batik is about the product or pattern. People can indeed find various products from clothes to home decoration item which is added with batik label. Batik is a process and this process is accepted by UNESCO as one of the world heritage. People should know more about the process of creating a batik product particularly the traditional one. Each process is started with N letter in Javanese.

Nyungging

The very first batik process is nyungging. During the process, there will be a batik pattern which is drawn on the paper. Sometimes the batik makers will draw the pattern directly onto the white fabric. There are so many batik patterns which can be found in Indonesia. People can find it differ from area to area. Nevertheless, people can also find the classic or more modern pattern of batik.

Njiplak

The Batik Class will be determined by the process after all. There is still a long way until people can get the batik product. If the pattern was drawn on the paper, it must be replaced onto the fabric before it can be processed to the next step. This process is called njiplak.

Nglowong

Next is nglowong process. During this process, the candle wax will be drawn according to the pattern drawn on the fabric. The candle wax will be attached and cover the area so it will not be colored.

Ngiseni

Even when people are looking for Batik Denpasar, this type of batik will not miss ngiseni step especially when it is made traditionally. This step will add the filling pattern using the candle wax.

Nyolet

This process will color the flower pattern using a brush.

Nembok

This step will block parts of the fabric which does not have to be colored.

Ngelir

This is a whole coloring process to the fabric. It means that the color used during this process will be the basic color of the fabric.

Nglorod

This process will melt the candle wax on the fabric down. This process will be done twice in the middle of the process and the last time in the boiling water.

Ngrentesi

The batik maker will use canting with a tiny opening for adding dots onto the fabric during this process.

Nyumri

This process will cover some parts of the fabric using the candle wax.

Nyoja

Last but not least, the classic Batik Bali will be done by dipping the fabric in the brown coloring liquid.