Technological Development of Bamboo for “Batik” Stamp in Malaysian Textile Industries

Abstract

Bamboo is a nature plant found in Malaysia and is being used largely in a craft and furniture industry. It is a plant with a trunk, twigs and cross-sections that can naturally create the contemporary and unique design for block batik. The main objective of the research stands to study about the application of bamboo as a main component in producing the unique design for block batik. History has been revealed that block for batik motives are originated from the creation from wood by Haji Che Su in 1914. Then, the wood block has been replaced with coopper, steel and zink which are more practical and easily shaped. The transformation of the block takes a long time based on the current demand. Various efforts have been done both by the designer and researcher to produce the block for the batik with lower costs, eco-friendly and with unique design. More than that, the research is also to identify and evaluate the proper manufacturing process for bamboo to become as a block batik design as well as the copper and steel. As a result, the use of bamboo as a block for batik has a potential to replace the cooper and steel. The product produced using bamboo as a block for batik creates unique and contemporary batik design and it fulfil the customer demand along with the eco-friendly value.