Batik is one of Bangladesh’s most cherished traditional crafts, rich in culture and community history. In recent years, it has been reimagined not just as a fashion product, but as a tool for social business, sustainable design, and women’s economic empowerment. With the global rise of eco-friendly fashion, Bangladesh’s handmade batik holds tremendous potential.

Types of Bangladeshi Batik:

In Bangladesh, three primary types of batik methods are practiced:

1. Hand-Drawn Batik: Artists use brushes or pens to apply hot wax by hand to create freeform designs.

2. Block Batik: Wooden blocks with carved patterns are dipped in wax and stamped onto the fabric.

3. Screen Batik: Wax is applied using screen-printing techniques, enabling larger production with consistent quality.

All three types are used in saris, scarves, shawls, home décor, and fashion accessories.

The traditional batik process follows these key steps:

• Washing and drying the fabric (cotton or silk)
• Designing by hand, block, or screen
• Applying hot wax to protect certain areas
• Dyeing the fabric with desired colors
• Removing the wax (in hot water)
• Finishing, ironing, and packaging

This hands-on process ensures every batik piece is unique.

Batik is now being used as a social business model to uplift rural and marginalized communities, particularly women and youth. Key features of this model include:

This approach creates self-reliance, dignity, and sustainable livelihoods.