Hand drawn batik is an exquisite and delicate art which requires skill, patience, meticulousness, flair and creativity. Batik is intrinsic to the fashion world, be it in cotton or silk or in the making of sarongs, scarf, pareos, shirts, shorts, handbags, purses and even shoes.  Terengganu batik shows originality and is not commercialized thus, retaining its price for the quality of the material and the elegance of the designs.

A special wax is mixed with amber and boiled over a slow fire to maintain the optimum temperature. On white cotton or silk fabrics, a special copper 'chanting' pen dipped with the wax.  The designs reflect nature-based motifs such as floral prints and marine life to produce a freestyle handrawn motifs.

Colours will be added after the wax had dried. Different colours can be added without spreading onto other parts as the wax creates sections within the designs. The fabrics will then dipped in boiling water to wash off the wax and to strengthen the colours before the batik can be made into different products.

The elegant prints stand out on men's shirts and women's dresses. Batik souvenirs include pareos, scarfs, wall panels, neckties, handbags, purses and shoes. Contemporary batik designs are also being introduced as designer wear, to alleviate batik to exclusive international standards.

Batiks are available at various shops especially at the central market. Watch out though for low quality batik sold at exorbitant price.

The colours are easily come off, usually on the first wash. Buying at an established batik shops therefore guarantees the quality of the products.