Dutch Wax Print

Dutch Wax Print

What are Dutch Wax Prints? They’re 100% cotton fabrics printed in bright colours with a technique that consists in applying wax resin on the fabric before submerging it in dye. Invented in the Netherlands in the 1800’s with the goal of mass reproducing Indonesian batiks, Dutch wax prints didn’t hit the mark in Indonesia because of their flawed prints. However, they found an unexpected market in the Gold Coast where their irregularities were seen as a asset, making the prints look more alive. Dutch wax prints then grew in popularity across West Africa, and evolved with patterns and colours designed to speak to this new audience.

Dutch waxprint sample Sketchbook.png

Dutch Waxprint and Photo Inspiration Sketchbook.png

Process and Reflection

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