Island Batik is a manufacturer, importer and distributor of cotton batik, rayon batik and hand-printed cotton from Indonesia. Originally established in 1997, Island Batik’s mission is to share the ancient cultural art of batik and hand-dyed fabric with our many valued customers around the world.
Batik
The art of batik, a wax-resist dyeing method, has been practiced for centuries in Indonesia and is an integral part of ethnic life and religious ceremony. This intimate knowledge of the batik process is what makes the Indonesian artists the talented leaders in their field. Batik is a way of life for the Indonesian people and it is reflected in the many facets of rural and cultural living.
Production
Island Batik currently employs 80 to 100 community members who transform the white base cloth into the spectacular designs and colors for which Island Batik is known. All of the fabric dyeing is done in our own manufacturing facility in Bali, which is centered in a small village. Men and women of the community perform the management of the plant, as well as all of the production processes. Men perform the stamping of wax onto the fabric, dyeing, washing and drying. The fabric is left out in the rice fields, where good sunlight is essential to ensure strong color and color fastness. The women are in charge of quality assurance, folding, bolting and packaging of the cloth.
The cotton and rayon batik is rolled by hand onto cardboard bolts, which are manufactured by families in the surrounding district. Originally, the fabric boards made in Los Angeles were sent to Bali, which was an expensive process. Community members were included in discussions to develop a new fabric board utilizing local raw materials. The talented craftsmen rose to the challenge and within a few days presented an acceptable prototype, which is now a new industry in the village. Island Batik is now producing only 100% recyclable bolt boards!
Philosophy
The philosophy of Island Batik has always been to ensure the success, enrichment and development of the community to which it belongs. This is accomplished is by offering computer skills training, donating to neighborhood functions and village ceremonies as well as sponsoring the Island Batik community volleyball team. These efforts result in a constant uplifting of the people who partner with Island Batik in production. Because of the large group of artisans and workers employment many people have been able to buy land build new homes, send children to school and college as well as improve the community environment for the benefit of all.
Fabric Designers
Kathy Engle is the creative talent behind Island Batik’s innovative batik designs. She has over 25 years of experience and a very distinctive style. Kathy’s designs are inspired by the beauty of nature, from the colors of the aurora borealis to the patterns of scales on a fish. With Kathy's designs, Island Batik fabrics are never boring - they are creative, contemporary and unforgettably unique!
Distribution
Island Batik’s main office and distribution center located in Carlsbad, Southern California. This is where the imported fabric arrives and is distributed to individually owned quilt and fabric stores all over the United States and abroad.
Kristen is your point of contact in the office, and she is Island Batik’s operations and customer service representative, and she manages all day to day tasks. She and Karen (accounting) are the ones to contact for any questions regarding your account or any fabric inquiries.
Ordering New Fabrics
Retailers can visit with a sales representative in their area to view the product and have questions answered.Orders can be placed directly with Island Batik over the phone, fax or e-mail. If a sales representative is not available in your area we can ship a loaner set of samples, a “traveling salesman” to your store. Fabric images can always be viewed at our interactive website.
All of our fabric is produced in Bali and the process is all done by hand therefore fabric orders on "New Cottons" are delivered around 3 months after ordering. Our extensive in-stock fabric program offers a variety of fabrics available for immediate delivery to your store.
Island Batik Products
- Cotton Batiks on 12 yd bolts: allows your budget a broader selection of design and color.
- Blenders on 15 yd bolts: wide selection of basic prints and colors, an in-stock program.
- Basics and Hand dyes: a wide variety of solid and multi colored hand dyes.
- Neutrals: our unique selection of background lights, in creams, butter & ivory hues.
- Rayons Batiks on 15 yd bolts: luxurious drape and soft hand makes this fabric perfect for garment projects.
- Stacks: 10" x 10" squares of hand dyed cotton batiks selected to compliment each other beautifully.
- Strip Packs: 2-1/2" strip rolls of hand dyed batiks selected to compliment each other beautifully.
- Rayon Scarves: our “bakers dozen” pack of 13 beautifully finished assorted colored scarves are great for gifts throughout the year.
Contact us to speak with our experienced product consultants with any questions at 760-602-0607.
Payment
New customers must prepay for their first order either by credit card or by sending a check. A credit application must be filled out and approved for Net 60 Days terms on fabric orders. Island Batik manages its own accounts.
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