Batiks using multicolours were made in China as early as 2,000 years ago and may have come to Java by that route.

In 1520 AD a palm leaf manuscript from Galuh in Southwest Java mentions hand made batik using a canting, the wax-filled pen.

There are two classic vegetable dyes: indigo (blue) and soga (brown).

Indigo comes from the leaves of the Indigofera plant. The soga brown comes from the bark of the jambal tree. Its range is from yellow to deep rich brown and is indigenous to Central Java.

Vegetable dyes are prized and sought after by collectors, batik connoisseurs, the upper classes and the wealthy.

Certain families in Java keep their natural dyes extremely secret.