Batik is a process of dying fabric, using hot wax as a resist. Wax is applied using brushes or tjanting tools. Then the fabric is dyed, rinsed and dried. The process is repeated, using layers of wax and dyes until the desired effect is acheived. Then the wax is removed by either dry cleaning or boiling in water. These traditional methods result in a design that penetrates the fibers of the fabric, instead of lying on top of the fabric, making for a long-lasting design that is soft to the touch.
At Birdsong Batiks, as few chemicals as possible are used in the process. Soy wax and beeswax are used as the resist and dry cleaning chemicals are never used. The wax is painstakingly boiled out in water with gentle detergents. Chemical dyes are used, but no fabric stiffeners or formeldahyde is added (Unlike most clothing manufactors).