This article is about “Batik dyes”. Batik is a resistant dyeing technique used to create patterns on fabrics such as tie-dyeing and shibori dyeing. Wax uses the fabric to prevent it from penetrating the fabric. Wax and dye have used to create intricate designs on fabrics.

Best Batik dyes

Type of batik dyes: There are natural and artificial dyes.

  • Naphthol dyes
  • Vat dyes
  • Remasol dyes
  • Procion dyes
  • indigosol dyes

Techniques for Dyeing

It is the process of adding colors to textile products such as fibers, yarns, and fabrics. The dye is obtaining from flowers, nuts, berries, and other vegetables and plants, as well as from animal and mineral sources. These call natural dyes. 

Naphthol dyes for batik

Naphthol dye is a real cold water dye. Even at temperatures below 70 F (21 ° C), the “cold” water is using in fiber reactive dyes such as Procion MX dyes should between 95 ° and 105 ° F (35 ° to 41 C). In contrast, naphthalene dye could use in ice water. Both fiber-reactive and naphthalene dyes are suitable for batik because they do not require the heat of melting wax to process the dye.

Naphthol dyes contain more dangerous chemicals than fiber reactive dyes, making them unsuitable for home use. We suspect that the dangers of using these dyes are unavailable from art and craft suppliers in the US and Europe. 

However, these dyes are using some artisans in Australia, Indonesia, and India. Use with extreme caution to prevent the risk of bladder cancer and other deadly diseases. The way of using naphthol dyes are fascinating. The fibers are a mixture of two different chemicals, diazepam, and naphthalene. Determines the color obtained by the specific combination. 

The advantages of this type of dye is that it could place on fabrics of different colors adjacent to each other. Like vat dyes, the final color is providing insoluble particles of dye trapped in the fibers. Only components that react together to form these compounds are water-soluble.

Naphthol Batik dyes = Naphthol + Diazo salt

Naphthol Dyes for batik & How to make

Vat dyes:

Vat dyes could apply directly and containers require since they are insoluble in water. But among all the other dyes, the properties of vat dye fastness are good. The word “VAT” means vessels. 

Dyes get their common name from watting. Vat dyes are naturally occurring pigments extracted from ancient times and fermented in wooden containers to ferment the pot – hence the name Vat Dye. Common vat dyes are quinonic dyes, the most common being anthraquinone and indigoide. Indigosol is the main name which use to categorize the Vat dyes. 

Instructions of vat dyeing 

Vat dyes should dilute before use. They do not liquefy in their oxidized form. This procedure requires the use of lye (sodium hydroxide) and should use with due care, including the use of spectacles. Indigo is subject to major crocodiles (rubbing dye into other items) if not used with care. This means using weak diphtheria and sinking more often than one strong dip. 

Indigo could apply with the same recipes as other vat dyes, or apply with a traditional fermentation bath. 

As usual for any type of dye, the dye is mixing with a small amount of water, and then the lye dissolves in cold water, add and the sodium hydrosulfite dye mixture dissolve on top. 

Milner recommends using twice as much sodium hydroxide and sodium hydrosulfite for blue or black vat dyes. Cover the cloth or yarn with water and moisten separately, then add the dissolved dye. After fifteen minutes, remove the dye from the fabric dye, expose it to air and allow the dye to oxidize.

Vat dyes for Batik

Remasol Batik Dyes

Remasol in Germany is famous for its reactive fabric dye batik vessels and industrial die. It is best to use this water-soluble powder dye in warm-hot water. A more concentrated solution is lost by applying and washing pastel shades. 

It is fixing with heat, such as sodium silicate or vapor or iron. Boil with 2 tablespoons of soda ash per liter of water and remove the final fixing and wax. Then rinse with tap water. Urea could add to granular colors or brighter colors during the mounting phase. 

As a pre-treatment in the laundry, urea fibers work better for better color absorption. 

Remosol works well on cellulose as a reactive dye for the capillary absorption of fresh flowers before drying. Dried flowers help to restore color. Not suitable for nylon and other synthetic materials.

Painting with Procion MX Fibre Reactive Dyes

Batik dyes

Procyon MX dyes are formulating for use on cellulose fibers such as cotton, linen, and viscose. When soda ash and water combine, the dye reacts chemically and forms a permanent bond with the fabric. They are best suited for batik work as they do not need to heat and the wax resistance does not dissolve.( procion dye is a best tie dyes) 

  • Stir in 10g (1 teaspoon) of soda ash in 900 ml of warm water. If you make this solution in a jar or plastic bottle, you can screw it on the lid and shake it well to make sure the soda ash dissolved.
  • Keep any remaining solution in a cupboard for up to 2 months. Dissolve a teaspoon of Procion MX dye powder in 2 tablespoons of soda ash solution. This will produce approximately 30 ml of dye for painting.

Recommend:

Procion Four Color MX Dye Set with Soda Ash (PMX100S)

Cold Water Dye, 2/3 oz., Asst. Colors (set of 8)

Procion Dye for Batik and How to make

Batik Dyeing process and method

  1. TRACING
  2. WAXING
  3. DYEING
  4. DE-WAXING (BOILING)
  5. DRYING
  6. SEWING
  7. IRONING

Wait until the batik wax is completely cool, then remove the cloth and lift it over the vinyl surface. You can cut batik fabric to create extra veins and cracks. 

Mix your cold water or hot water dye and dye the fabric according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Place a cloth on top of your batik dye container to remove excess dye. Hang the batik cloth to dry completely. Do not wash, sew, or dry the fabric artificially.

Batik Instructions for Multi-Color Fabric Dying

To add variations of colors to batik designs, repaint the fabric wax and dye additional colors to retain the current colors of the batik fabric. 

Always start with a light color and end with a dark color. 

Keep in mind that the newly waxed area retains the color of the previous dye bath, and any unbroken part becomes the color of both the pre-batik dye bath and the subsequent batik dyes bath.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Batik dyes showcase a rich history and cultural significance in textile artistry, offering vibrant colors and intricate designs. The traditional wax-resist technique used with Batik dyes allows for stunning patterns and variations, making it a versatile choice for creating unique fabrics. With its deep roots in various cultures worldwide, Batik continues to captivate artists and enthusiasts alike, inspiring creativity and celebrating the art of hand-dyed textiles.

Best Fabrics used For Batik