Wax Resist Using Tjaps

Learn the traditional Indonesian art of batik using copper tjaps (stamps) to create beautiful wax resist patterns on fabric. This technique combines hot wax application with fiber reactive dyeing for stunning results.

Shopping list:

• Old electric frying pan (you can find a good one at the Flea Market or Goodwill) or use one of our Melting Skillets (#MS4/#MS7)
• Uniodized Salt
• Fabric or clothing items to be stamped
• Copper Tjap (#TJAP)
• Batik wax (#BW)
• Procion MX Fiber Reactive Dye (#PR)
• Soda Ash Fixer (#FIX)
• Dharma Dyers Detergent

Let's get started!

Step 1: Heat the wax

Heat the wax in the electric frying pan to 220°-230° F. Make sure it is only about 1/8 inch deep depending on your stamp. Don't drown the tjap.

Step 2: Prepare your fabric

Prewash your fabric or clothing in hot water and Dharma Dyers Detergent so it is ready to be stamped and dyed. You can also dye your fabric before adding the wax stamp as we did in one of our samples using either our tie dye or crystal wash directions for Procion MX Fiber Reactive Dye.

Step 3: Heat the tjap

Heat the tjap by placing it in the hot wax for about 5 minutes. The handle does not conduct heat, so you will not burn your hand.

Step 4: Remove excess wax

When ready to stamp lift the tjap and shake well to remove excess wax and to prevent dripping. This is probably the most important step as having the right amount of wax on your tjap will determine the success of the print.

Step 5: Stamp the fabric

Press the tjap gently to the fabric with a slight rocking motion so all parts of the design make contact with the fabric.

NOTE: It helps to have a smooth flat surface to work on that is padded with a layer or two of fabric. This helps to absorb excess wax making the detail more crisp. If you are stamping on clothing remember to place a piece of cardboard between the front and back so the wax doesn't go through to the back.

Examples of too much wax:

These two examples are from before we realized how much excess wax you need to shake off, and also before we realized that some absorbent "throw away" fabric under the fabric you are stamping works wonders. Way too much wax!

Step 6: Perfect the design

Once the wax cools on the fabric you can manipulate the cracks to enhance the design if desired. We finally got a perfect print!

Step 7: Dye the fabric

Dye with the fiber reactive dye following our tub dyeing directions.

Step 8: Rinse out excess dye

Rinse and wash out the excess dye before wax removal by hand in luke warm water and Dharma Dyers Detergent, so that you don't have a bunch of excess dye in the pot when removing the wax...that would make mud!

Step 9: Remove the wax

To remove the wax boil a pot of water large enough to contain the item.

Step 10: Submerge and cool

Submerge it, weighing it down if necessary. The wax will melt and float to the top. Allow to cool, then simply remove the solidified wax from the surface of the water. Doing it this way helps to prevent redepositing wax onto your fabric. Never pour hot water containing wax down the drain.

Step 11: Final wash

Follow up with a final wash in hot water and Dharma Dyers Detergent. Rinse and dry. Voila!

Troubleshooting Examples:

These photos show the results when the image was stamped on the fabric with too much wax.

Here the wax was too hot, therefore the dye seeped into the very thin resist and the contrast is not as good once dyed.