The Smoke Batik Technique: Smoking as Colour Finishing

Smoke (sometimes called batik asap) refers to a smoking or fuming step where cloth is exposed to smoke as part of finishing the colour in some batik traditions. This article discusses it generally, without claiming it as an absolute requirement.

What is the smoke technique

In general, smoking is a stage where waxed and dyed cloth is exposed to smoke (for example from a small hearth) to help set the colour or give a natural darkened tone.

Characteristics of smoke

The result can deepen the colour or add a brownish/blackish tone to parts of the cloth. The effect varies with the fuel and smoking duration.

Tools and materials

The technique uses already-dyed cloth and a smoke source (a hearth or simple smoker). It does not always involve extra wax.

General process

After dyeing, the cloth is hung over the smoke source for a period. This is a finishing stage, not the main motif-making step.

Smoke vs other main techniques

Smoke is a final stage, distinct from asli tulis (motif made with a canting) or plangkan malam (stretching the cloth). Smoke complements rather than replaces those techniques.

Uses

Smoking appears more in specific traditions and is not a mandatory standard for all batik. For the general production process see our production page and batik techniques.

Related techniques: asli tulis and batik printing vs cap.

Frequently asked

Does every batik go through smoking? No. Smoking is a stage in certain traditions, not a required step for all batik.