batik on paper

I am always drawn to the beautiful batik fabrics when I am at a fabric store and I love the dyed colors blending between the images that are left from the wax resist technique. You can achieve this look on paper too be doing one of the most basic stamping techniques - embossing! Combine that with a few extra tricks and the result is a batik look that rivals some of the prettiest fabrics out there.

To get started, you will want to choose images with a bold design. Images with too much detail aren't going to have the impact that more solid images do. I used the Leave it Be set here and stamped the solid images from the set randomly onto a piece of Fresh Snow Linen cardstock with Versamark ink. You can experiment with different types of cardstock and depending on color, texture, etc. you will see different effects with the batik technique.

After the images were stamped, I embossed them with clear embossing powder. Before you move on to the next step, you need to crumple your embossed cardstock all over. Now, crunching it right into a ball will cause your paper to tear more easily, so instead fold the cardstock in many directions. What you are looking for is creasing happening across the embossed images. You might try dampening your cardstock a bit with water so your paper will crumple more easily - I did not do that with the samples I am sharing today.

Next, flatten your cardstock back out. A bone folder is excellent for smoothing everything back out. Your paper isn't every going to be completely smooth again, but that is also part of the look!

Now, the fun part: adding color. I used an ink blending tool to apply ink to the cardstock. Where the images are embossed it will resist the ink, but where the creases appear the color will seep in. The look is fantastic. On this sample, I used Pinefeather and Ripe Avocado inks.

You can experiment with how you add color too. Maybe use a sponge, apply the ink pad right to the paper, or use a watercolor brush.

I have a few card samples to share that I put together with the batik samples that I made up...

Here's on that I made with the sample that I shared above with the Leave it Be set. I used the whole piece for the card front and added a sentiment onto a strip of striped vellum.

Vellum is a great way to add a sentiment to a card that you are wanting to show off the background design on. I ran the strip through my Xyron sticker machine which made it very easy to add right onto the card front.

You can use just a piece of the batik paper on your project like I did here. The batik print here is peeking out from under one of the Sentiment Splits: Curve Vertical dies.

I created this batik design with the Happiness in Bloom set on Papertrey's regular white cardstock. I added color with Simply Chartreuse, Plum Pudding, and Royal Velvet inks.

And finally, I had to try a little batik with some kraft cardstock! I stamped the leave images from the Meadow Greens set and added color with Simply Chartreuse, Canyon Clay, and Terracotta Tile inks. This is such a great color combination for fall.

The sentiment is created with the Wet Paint set and the "thanks" die from the Wet Paint Cuts die collection.

Please share with me if you create a project using the batik technique - I would love to see it! Add a link in the comments below.

Thanks so much for stopping by & happy batiking!

Supplies:

all supplies from Papertrey Ink unless noted

With Gratitude Batik Card

size: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2"

stamps: Leave it Be, Think Big Favorites #16

ink: Jet Black Archival (Ranger), Versamark (Tsukineko), Pinefeather, Ripe Avocado

cardstock: Fresh Snow Linen, Simply Chartreuese, Sheer Basics Vellum

other: clear embossing powder, Rustic Jute button twine, ink blending tool (Ranger)

Thanks Batik Card

size: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2"

stamps: Happiness in Bloom, Banner Banter

ink: True Black, Royal Velvet, Plum Pudding, Simply Chartreuse, Versamark (Tsukineko)

cardstock: white, Simply Chartreuse

other: clear embossing powder, Sentiment Splits: Curve Vertical, brad (Recollections), mini brad (unknown), ink blending tool (Ranger)

Thanks For Everything Batik Card

size: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2"

stamps: Meadow Greens, Wet Paint

ink: True Black, Canyon Clay, Terracotta Tile, Simply Chartreuse, Versamark (Tsukineko)

cardstock: kraft, white, Simply Chartreuse

other: clear embossing powder, Wet Paint Cuts die, ink blending tool (Ranger)