Wax Hollandais Printing Process

Although the wax fabric is made using modern machinery, the process is remarkably complex. Each piece of fabric takes an average of 27 steps: design- digital CAD-engrave rollers-bath dye-braking wax-applying colors.

 

 

The Design

 

The process starts from designs with vibrant shapes and deep, rich, saturated colors set its African Wax prints apart.

 

 

CAD

Making digital CAD for size and repeat confirmed(pattern size and directions).

 

 

S/O (strike off)

Engrave the small pattern to make S/O for colors approval.

 

 

The Rollers

Making big real patterns on rollers for design sets.

 

 

Translating the designs into a digital format to engrave onto copper rollers. These rollers then apply melted wax to both sides of the fabric as it passes through.

 

 

The Indigo Bath

 

The first stage of the dyeing process is when the cloth is immersed in a bath of indigo dye.  Whatever part of the cloth is not covered by the wax is dyed a deep and beautiful blue.

 

 

Breaking the Wax

 

In the earliest days of wax print, the machinery caused small cracks in the wax that let the dye seep through. This created a bubble effect. What seemed like an imperfection at first, turned into something positive, as African customers loved this effect.

Vlisco decided to include the crackling effect with all wax fabrics, by breaking up random parts of the wax in a special machine. The resulting imperfections are what make each bolt of cloth unique and beloved by so many.

 

Applying the Color

 

The cloth is dried, and then the first layer of color is applied. The wax is removed before applying the second color over the top. It is this clever build-up of color that gives each design its vibrant palette. Sometimes, embellishment is added. Then the fabric is ready for a final wash to remove any remaining dye or wax.

 

 

Steaming the colors

 

In order to make the colors more bright and beautiful, the colored fabrics are steamed by hot rapid steamer.

 

 

Re waxing

After boiling water boiled wax, from wax cloth, water cooling, floating in the water can be collected wax, wax can be used repeatedly.

 

 

 

Setting the finial size for fabrics

 

It uses the setting machines to fix the width and shrinkage. The fabrics are ready after this last step is finished.

 

 

More preliminary treatment

 

Fabrics must be done more preliminary treatment steps before dyeing and printing. Such as: singeing, desizing, boiling, bleaching.

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks to its softness, weight, and handle, Wax Hollandais fabric makes the perfect textile for dresses, coats, skirts, tops, and more. The variation of designs and colors always makes it an exciting cloth to work with and wear.