Batik is a Javanese word that refers to a generic wax-resist dyeing technique used on fabric. The word comes from the Javanese word "amba," meaning ”to write,” and the Indonesian word for dot or point, "titik.”

History
The technique is thought to be over a thousand years old, and historical evidence demonstrates that cloth decorated with this resist technique was in use in the early centuries AD in Africa, the Middle East, and in several places in Asia. Although there is no sure explanation as to where batik first was “invented”, many observers believe that it was brought to Asia by travelers from the Indian subcontinent.

Despite the fact that batik may have originated elsewhere, most observers believe that batik has reached its highest artistic expression in Indonesia, particularly in Java. The art of batik was later spread to the rest of the Indonesian archipelago and to the Malay Peninsula, where the popularity of the cloth led to the establishment of many other production centers. Batik has become a very central means of artistic expression for many of the areas of Asia and a deeply integrated facet of Asian culture.

Procedure
Melted wax is applied to cloth before being dipped in dye.
Wherever the wax has seeped through the fabric, the dye will not penetrate. Sometimes several colors are used, with a series of dyeing, drying and waxing steps. Thin wax lines are made with a tjanting (canting, pronounced chahn-ting) needle, a wooden-handled tool with a tiny metal cup with a tiny spout, out of which the wax seeps. Other methods of applying the wax to the fabric include pouring the liquid wax, painting the wax on with a brush, and applying the hot wax to a precarved wooden or metal wire block and stamping the fabric. One indication of the level of craftmanship in a piece of batik cloth is whether the pattern is equally visible on both sides of the cloth. This indicates the application of wax on both sides, either with the canting or with mirror-image design blocks.

After the last dyeing, the fabric is hung up to dry. Then it is dipped in a solvent to dissolve the wax, or placed in a vat of boiling water, or ironed between paper towels or newspapers to absorb the wax and reveal the deep rich colors and the fine crinkle lines that give batik its character.

The invention of the copper block or cap developed by the Javanese in the 20th century revolutionized batik production. It became possible to make high quality designs and intricate patterns much faster than one could possibly do by hand-painting.

Tradition
Indonesia is a very diverse country, and Indonesian batik textiles exhibit many styles. Some of the traditional styles carry mystic-influenced patterns, some have illustrations of plant animals and people, and some have extremely intricate patterns. The traditional batik style (usually using earth colors and very intricate), was known to be the style reserved for the nobles at the Java Keraton (court). The contemporary styles have brighter hues compared to the traditional ones.

In general, Malaysian batik emphasizes a more contemporary style of brighter hues and more versatile but less intricate patterns. Batik has long been a part of Javanese heritage, and the batik tradition in Malaysia is much younger.

Article courtesy of: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Batik