DEKA Special Batik Wax – paraffin and beeswax blend

DEKA Special Batik Wax – paraffin and beeswax blend for resist work

DEKA Special Batik Wax lets you block out areas in batik and silk painting: where there is wax on the fabric, the dye cannot penetrate. The wax is a blend of paraffin and beeswax and is applied melted.

The mixing ratio determines the effect: paraffin tends to crack, while beeswax gives more solid areas of colour. The blend sits in between and allows resists with fine crackle effects. The wax comes in two pack sizes (50 g and 250 g); choose yours from the options.

Working with batik wax

Use the wax to draw lines or cover areas that should keep the colour of the fabric after dyeing. Small tjanting tools help you vary the line width; alternatively, apply the wax with a brush.

• Melt the wax and keep it liquid at a temperature hot enough for it to penetrate through to the back of the fabric, without smoking.
• Stretch the fabric or lay it flat and apply the wax until it has penetrated through to the back.
• Leave the wax to set, then dye the fabric with Series L colours.
• To remove the wax, place the fabric between sheets of newspaper or blotting paper and iron it.

Temperature and crackle effect

Wax that is too hot smokes and foams, while wax that is too cool does not penetrate to the back of the fabric and does not resist cleanly there. For fine cracks, gently crumple the cooled fabric before dyeing so that the dye can run into the cracks. Try this first on a scrap of fabric.

DEKA Special Batik Wax product details

• Manufacturer: DEKA
• Material: blend of paraffin and beeswax
• Suitable for: silk painting and batik dyeing with Series L colours
• Application: melted, with a tjanting tool or brush
• Pack size: 50 g or 250 g

You will also need: a container for melting (e.g. in a water bath), a tjanting tool or brush, DEKA Series L colours, an iron, newspaper or blotting paper

Always use under adult supervision. Read the instructions before use, follow them and keep them to hand for reference.