How to use Javanese Cantings
Cantings are the tools which are used to apply wax in batik. They are little wax pens with a bamboo or wooden handle and a copper bowl and are the most accurate way of applying wax in batik. Cantings were invented in Java and the word is actually Javanese, although you may sometimes still see it spelled in the old Dutch form - tjanting.
As the finest batik in the world is without a doubt produced in Java, then it makes sense to use the tool which has been developed over the centuries to do the right job. We source our cantings directly from highly skilled toolmakers in Java, who handmake them using recycled teak and copper - they really are a thing of beauty, and the highest quality cantings available.
A Javanese canting is made of a wooden handle and a thin copper bowl and spout. The spout is important as it is by looking at the size of the hole in the spout that you can gauge the flow of wax you will have coming out
Choosing the right size canting for batik
Our Javanese cantings are available in four different spout sizes, although since they are handmade, they are not always completely uniform. The spout sizes range from very fine (0) through fine (1), medium-fine (2), medium (3) and wide (4).
Batik tip: If you wrap a little cloth around the end of the canting spout, the widest cantings work excellently as a substitute for a brush.
We also sell double spout cantings, which can make lovely decorative swirls. They are also useful for drawing the outline to a thicker line which you can then fill in with wax using a brush.
The finer the spout, the hotter you need your batik wax to be as it will flow out more slowly. Some people find the wide spouts hard to control as the wax flows so quickly, however this can be a great source of creative freedom and is great for doing some wonderful large pieces such as batik banners. The fine spouts are perfect for detailed work which you just can't achieve with a brush. For children, we recommend a medium spout such as our Size 3.
How to use a batik canting
Looking at the angle of the spout will give you an idea of the angle you should hold your canting at. Unlike pens, cantings are not designed to be used with your work flat on the table but with it held up at an angle of 45°. In Java, the women have a large piece of cloth draped over a stand, or put one hand behind the cloth to achieve the perfect angle. If you are working with your fabric pinned to a frame, prop it up against the table.
Batik tip: If you can train yourself to work at this angle, you will have far fewer drips because your canting is now much more controlled and it only needs a very slight movement of the wrist to control the flow.
You need to heat up the wax to a hot temperature. If you are serious about batik I recommend you get a proper thermostatically controlled waxpot which will stay for as long as you want at the required temperature. (unfortunately we are having trouble getting these at the moment) I personally have had a lot of success with an electric frying pan (also thermostatically controlled) The added bonus is that you can also used it for our copper stamps.
If you just want to try batik out first, you can use a small pan heated on a hotplate, camping stove or cooker. Don't expect to be able to use the pan for anything else afterwards!
How to heat batik wax
There are several ways of heating batik wax, but whichever you choose you'll need to heat the wax up to a good hot temperature. If you're a beginner then using a double burner on a hotplate is fine, but you won't be able to use the pan for anything else afterwards! If you're serious about batik then getting a proper thermostatically controlled batik wax pot will make your life a lot easier as it will keep the wax at the right temperature for as long as you need. Another good option is using an electric frying pan (also thermostatically controlled) - we like these because they're also large enough that you can use them for copper stamps or caps.