Fully Hand Drawn Batik Tulis Bandanas

Tulis means "to write" in Indonesian. In batik tulis, an artisan "writes" every line of hot wax onto cotton by hand with a canting, a small copper pen with a spout. The waxed lines resist the dye, and the process of waxing and dyeing is repeated for each color.

1. Sketch. The design is drawn lightly on 100% cotton cloth.
2. Hand-drawn wax. The artisan traces every line and dot with the canting.
3. Dye. The cloth is dyed; waxed areas stay uncolored.
4. Repeat. More wax and more dye baths build up each additional color.
5. Remove the wax (lorod). The cloth is boiled to lift the wax, then sun-dried and pre-washed.

Drawing, dyeing, and lorod together take about 10 hours for one of our bandanas, not counting the time it spends drying in the sun.

Indonesian batik was inscribed by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2009, and batik tulis is its most traditional form.

Shop our hand-stamped batik cap bandanas.

Several of our batik tulis bandanas are dyed with natural indigo and other plant dyes instead of synthetic dyes. Look for "Natural Dye" or "Indigo" in the product name.

• Deeper, living color. Natural indigo gives rich blues that soften gently over time.
• Each batch is unique. Plant dyes vary with the harvest, so color depth differs slightly between pieces.
• Gentle care. Hand wash in cold water with a mild, natural detergent and dry in the shade.

• Pagi Sore (Dusk–Dawn). A traditional batik layout split diagonally into two different designs, so the bandana shows a different face depending on how you fold it. Ours pairs Indonesian hibiscus with California poppies.
• Celestial Blue (Moon and Star). An original night-sky design by our founder in navy, blue, and yellow.
• Phoenix. Mythical birds are a hallmark of coastal (pesisir) batik from Java's north shore, where Cirebon sits, reflecting centuries of cultural exchange.
• Lotus Blossom, Butterfly, and Floating on Water. Botanical and nature motifs, several in natural indigo, including rectangle versions.

Our batik tulis bandanas measure about 20"–21" square (rectangle styles vary; see each product page). Wear one as a neck scarf, headband, hair wrap, or head covering, or tie it to a bag. The soft, breathable cotton is comfortable as a head covering, including during hair loss. For more styles, see 7 Easy Bandana Hairstyles.

Batik dyes are set into natural cotton by hand, so a little gentle care keeps colors rich for years, and the cotton gets softer with every wash.

• Wash separately the first few times. Some excess dye may release in early washes, especially in reds and blacks.
• Use cold water on a hand-wash or delicate cycle, with a mild detergent or baby shampoo.
• Skip bleach and harsh stain removers, which can lift the dye.
• Line dry in the shade. Long, direct sun exposure is the most common cause of fading.
• Iron on medium while slightly damp for a crisp finish.
• Expect beautiful imperfection. Slight shrinkage, small color variations, and edges that aren't perfectly straight are natural results of hand-dyeing and pre-washing, not defects.

Because each piece is one of a kind, batik tulis can also be framed and displayed as textile art.