The history of batik caps
Caps are a Javanese invention and a Javanese word for a wonderful batik tool. A cap (sometimes spelled tjap which gives you an idea as to how it is pronounced) is a handmade copper batik stamp which is used for putting on a whole design at once in wax.
This marvellous idea started in the mid 19th century when the batik industry in Java was in grave danger of extinction from European imported printed cottons. The use of a copper stamp which could stamp the whole design onto the cloth in one go was a great time saver while still preserving the traditional look and feel of true batik.
The copper stamp is still widely used and is a work of art in itself. In Java many different caps may be used to complete a piece of batik and often mirror image pairs are used to wax the front and back.
Using a copper tjap to print batik
To use a Javanese copper cap you will need:
- The copper cap/tjap of your choice
- Cotton fabric (our Primissima batik fabric is ideal)
- A shallow flat pan which is big enough to accommodate the batik stamp. (An electric frying pan with a built in thermostat is ideal for this.)
- About half an inch of melted batik wax in your pan.
- A piece of flat kitchen scourer (those square green ones) covered with a couple of layers of scrap fabric. This helps to soak up the wax and acts as a stamp pad.
- Several newspapers to act as padding underneath your fabric.
How to print batik using a copper stamp
- First you need to heat the wax. If you are using an electric pan, set the temperature and wait for the wax mix to melt. If you are using a non-electric pan, you'll need to heat the batik wax over a cooker or hotplate.
- Place the cap into the pan, and allow it to sit in the hot batik wax for a few minutes until you can feel the heat in the handle. You may need to wrap this with a piece of cloth.
- Whilst the cap is heating in the batik wax, lay out the newspapers on top of each other and place the primissima batik fabric over the top. This ensures you have a bit of 'give' when you use the stamp.
- Once the cap is hot enough all over, it is ready to start printing batik with.
- Take the cap out of the batik wax and shake off any excess. Experiment on a scrap of paper or fabric first! When you feel confident, place it carefully and firmly onto the fabric where you want your design.
- Once you've pressed down firmly, lift the stamp up and there's your design! You will get a couple of impressions out of each dip, but leave the cap in the wax mix to keep warm while working.
- When you have finished, take the copper cap out of the wax to cool down. Don't leave it in the cooling wax!
Please note: You will need to experiment and practice to get the cap printing perfectly, but if it's a new stamp then there shouldn't be any problems. If you are trying to use a second-hand cap, you should be aware that the more detailed and intricate the design, the harder it is to get a good print. These ones are best left to the expert batik artists in Java, or as a very attractive item on your mantlepiece.