What is a tjap?

Tjaps are made with narrow strips of copper that are twisted and shaped into batik designs, then soldered to less conductive open steel base with a handle. They are made based on designs drawn out by the batik artist just on a piece of paper. For the skilled copper craftsman, a simple sketch is all they need. Traditional & Modern Use-

What are tjaps made of?

Tjaps are made with narrow strips of copper that are twisted and shaped into batik designs, then soldered to less conductive open steel base with a handle. They are made based on designs drawn out by the batik artist just on a piece of paper.

What is tjap batik?

The copper tjap was developed by the Javanese in the 20th century and it revolutionized batik production. By block printing the wax onto the fabric, it became possible to mass-produce designs and intricate repeating patterns far faster than one could possibly do by using a canting.

How is a tjap stamp made?

The tjap is dipped into the hot wax, then applied to the cloth which is stretched out on a padded table that absorbs the pressure of the stamp. Once the fabric is completely printed and the wax is cool it is vat dyed and the wax is boiled out.