“ Our contemporary styles mean that we are not bound by the batik motifs that are traditionally used in Indonesia, and so we have tried to gain inspiration from studying the colours and patterns of international cultures ”
Batik Priatampan is a manufacturer of batik fabrics and garments with our production hub based in Solo, Central Java. The majority of our batik products are still amde by hand, requiring special techniques, precision and patience. This manual process has been practised for thousands of years, and through our company, we believe that we are preserving this intangible cultural heritage as well as developing new ways to advance it for future generations.
Our foremost expertise lies in the creation of original batik designs, where we provide a fresh approach to this age-old craft by redefining traditional motifs with a more contemporary outlook. Producing more than 320 designs per year, we have the capacity to cater to the specific needs of our clients, which have resulted in our batik batik fabrics
gaining recognition in overseas markets such as in the USA and Canada — our designs have also been patented in the US. Furthermore, supporting our business in this regard is our large and diverse collection of innovative colours. With the ‘colours of the world’ at our disposal, we can satisfy many of our international clients seeking colour palettes that are in-line with the changing seasons or the natural landscapes found in their home countries, thus distinguishing our company from other batik producers.
Going forward, we will focus on implementing strategies that enhance the quality of our products as well as the long-term sustainability of our business. One area of focus is the issue surrounding pollution within our industry. Our highly-integrated factory is equipped with water treatment facilities that ensure our operations only release liquid waste that meets environmental standards set by the government. Moreover, other areas we are keen to enter include the use of more sustainable raw materials, as demand for environmentally friendly fabrics rises; we believe this will help further develop this special industry.
I see a positive outlook for the batik industry in Indonesia, albeit, the market is starting to get saturated. For this sector to continue to grow, batik producers must look towards more sustainable means of production, in addition to adhering to new government and international regulations. There are, for instance, many businesses that do not use certified chemicals, regularly pollute the environment, or have poor working conditions. This will negatively impact investment into the industry and hamper opportunities for local players to expand their business.
Additionally, more attention must be paid to enhance product quality, as consumer preferences are increasingly shifting towards such attributes; as I believe this will not only retain consumers but also contribute to long-term profitability.
We are continuously looking into novel design ideas to incorporate into our fabrics and garments. Our contemporary styles mean that we are not bound by the batik motifs that are traditionally used in Indonesia, and so we have tried to gain inspiration from studying the colours and patterns of international cultures. I believe that this will provide us with a new perspective on batik and demonstrate its capacity to evolve. Furthermore, we are also investigating the use of sustainable raw materials.
I would like the government to better communicate its policies to smaller players in the batik industry. Currently, there is more focus towards larger companies whereas this sector is mostly comprised of small home industries. Through this, batik manufacturers can better adapt to changing regulations and hopefully protect this cultural heritage.
The government does deserve credit however, for its efforts in promoting batik manufacturers through trade expos. Previous international expos were usually subsidised by the government whereas participants currently must pay a fee. I believe this is a positive move as only the most committed companies who are sincerely seeking new business opportunities will join. They will, therefore, place greater effort in marketing their products, from the design of their booths to providing adequate training to their sales team.
We have identified Europe as our potential market as we feel we can manufacture fabrics to suit their fashion trends. It is also a vast market with diverse cultures and demographics, and batik having already been introduced by the Dutch there many centuries ago provides us with an advantage. In preparation to enter this market, we are in the process of developing fabrics that are suited for the winter season, using new materials as well as colour palettes.
Our complete commitment to quality standards and product design enable us to preserve this industry in its purest form whilst still regularly producing new and stylish motifs. This has allowed us to form long-standing relationships with our current international partners as we can cater to and understand their individual design strategies. Furthermore, we are keen advocates for environmental awareness as evident from our water treatment facilities as well as the welfare of our workforce — we believe this further encourages innovation and optimises productivity.
By staying true to this craft, we see batik’s potential as a unique business opportunity for international investors, and we hope to stand together with our future partners at the forefront of its continued advancement.