The application of dye-resisting agents is the essence of the entire batik making. These resisting agents, mostly malam (hot wax), covers the pencil sketch line and to prevent the dye from penetrating into the cloth during the coloring phase.

In batik tulis (hand-drawn batik), a canting is used to apply malam over the sketch line. Canting is an pencil-like instrument consisting of a small copper cup and spout attached to a wooden handle. While batik tjap takes only a few hours to finish, a fine batik tulis takes weeks, or even months, to complete. This depends on the design complexity.

Batik Tulis: the Process

Theoretically, batik tulis artisans simply scoop the melted wax into the copper cup. This is followed by wiping or brush the bottom of the cup and spout against the side of the wax pot to remove excess wax. After that, blow at the spout tip just after scooping the wax before positioning near to the cloth. This is to remove the wax globules which could create wax blotches when the tip first touches the cloth.

Let the wax being released out of the nozzle slowly onto the white cloth. Ensure that the wax penetrates through to the flip side of the cloth. Otherwise, the dye might seep in and results in uneven or blur outline. To remedy this, simply apply wax on the other side of the cloth.

There are many theories on the angle of hands, on how to hold a canting, and on the “correct” stroke sequence. However, one just simply need to find the right rhythm for themselves. There is no hard and fast rule about using a canting to apply the malam.

Sounds easy? It is! This method is suitable for a do-it-yourself (DIY) project at home. You simply need a canting, an electric kettle to maintain the wax temperature and, of course, the wax.

Batik Tulis: Pointers from Experts

If you are a beginner batik tulis hobbyist, here are some pointers from the expert artisans on what to take note when creating a batik artworks:

• Keep the wax at temperature of about 45 degree Celcius. If the wax is too cold, then it hardens quickly and makes it harder to flow. If the wax is too hot, then it will be too runny and the burn will be too hot to handle.
• Scoop little, scoop often. Do not fill the cup to the brim as the top will be cooled too quickly and hard to apply. Also, gravity (sorry, the nerd mode is ON) causes the wax to flow and spread too quickly, resulting in thick outline.
• One breath, one stroke – a mantra often recommended by seasoned artists. Glide the canting onto the cloth upon inhale and pull up upon exhale. Through inhaling, you have a better control of the strokes to produce even lines.
• Go with the direction of your dominant hands (i.e. right hander is encouraged to apply the wax in strokes from left to right).
• Note the dripping points when using a canting. The dripping points are the point where the spout is connected to the cup, the connecting point of the cup and handle as well as the point the wax may accumulate along the wooden shaft near the fingers. Multi-tasking at its best.
• Spill the wax (because you will think about it if we say ‘do not be scared of wax dripping’). Reverse psychology? Maybe. However, keep calm and batik on.

Like any other new skills, practice makes perfect. Each artists will eventually find their own beat and preferred way to use a canting. Regardless, we must always maintain a cool, a lot of concentration and an eye for both the big picture and small details, especially when working with complicated designs and multiple colours.

Previous step: Batik Tjap: Task for the Strong and Steady Hands

Next step: Dyeing Batik Cloth: the Colourful Affair