Batik is an ancestral traditional art form. Behind each stroke and pattern lies a story framing the heritage of life. Batik could be considered Indonesia's most iconic artistic identity. Nearly every ethnic group across the archipelago possesses its unique batik identity. It's no surprise UNESCO recognized batik as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity back in 2009.

Time marches on, demanding swift solutions that have shifted the way batik is produced. The traditionally manual act of batik making seems tedious due to its time-consuming nature. Coupled with the emergence of rapid batik printing, the practice of hand-drawn batik faces a regeneration crisis. Yet, the authenticity of batik lies in the hand-drawn process, requiring meticulousness and skill, thus yielding high artistic value.

This challenge prompted Andi Sudiarso from the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), to both preserve the legacy of hand-drawn batik and respond to the ongoing automation challenge. Andi and his team embarked on research to infuse technology into the hand-drawn batik production. From this ongoing research emerged a hand-drawn batik machine named Butimo. This machine assists in the initial stage of creating batik motifs before the coloring phase. Only the first stage of the batik process is aided by technology.

The initial stage in batik involves drawing the motif on paper first, then transferring it onto the fabric and applying wax patterns using a tool called a canting. The wax application using hot wax (wax-resist dyeing) is known as klowong. The entire process is streamlined with the automated technology of the Butimo batik machine.

The Butimo batik machine, based on CNC (Computer Numerical Control), replaces the steps of motif drawing on paper, motif transfer to fabric, and the wax application process, which usually takes a long time. A piece of fabric is stretched on a customizable frame. There is a nozzle-based tool that simultaneously heats the wax and moves over the fabric, following the pattern commanded through a computer. This significantly reduces the time taken in the initial stage. Where typically this initial stage would take a week, with the Butimo machine, it can be completed in just one or two days.

"This technology isn't used to replace the entire process but is integrated with manual craftsmen. Initially, the process involves using technology, then the wax application and coloring stages are retained manually. Thus, there's a collaboration between technology and culture," said the UGM Mechanical Engineering lecturer, presenting his research at the LPDP Fest 2023.

The research into the Butimo hand-drawn batik machine has a long history. Approximately a decade ago, this idea was developed through several prototypes and refinements. Around 2019, the Butimo batik machine finally found its formulation. Andi believed that his invention needed recognition and application by the public to assist in hand-drawn batik production.

The commercialization effort for the Butimo batik machine received funding from LPDP's RISPRO Competition, with a research proposal titled "Portable Hand-Drawn Batik Machine with Mobile Machine Modules to Minimize Production Costs towards Batik 4.0."

Andi and his team from UGM did a lot with this Commercial RISPRO funding. Their work included testing the machine's reliability and product outcomes, research publication, and patenting tools and machines.

"In this Commercial RISPRO development, we've made around six variants of machines, starting from a single-frame machine, single canting machines, to double or twin-frame machines, and double-canting machines in one unit," said Andi.

Butimo itself is not just the name of the hand-drawn batik machine; it's also an industry located in Dusun Kabrokan Wetan RT 01, Desa Sendangsari, Kecamatan Pajang, Kabupaten Bantul, Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta. Established since July 18, 2016, this home industry can produce 100 tech-based hand-drawn batik pieces per month using the Butimo machine. Therefore, Butimo sells various batik products, from fabrics, clothing, bags, shoes, and, of course, the Butimo batik machine, priced around IDR 150 million.

Assisting Micro, Small, and Medium-Sized Batik Enterprises (MSMEs)

The government, through the Ministry of Industry, continues to drive the improvement of the competitive edge, capacity, and quality of batik industry players to boost export value. Reviewing Indonesia's batik export value, it remains high and promising.

Data for 2022 shows that the export value of batik and its derivatives exceeded US$ 64.56 million. Meanwhile, from January to April 2023, the export value of batik and batik products touched US$ 26.7 million.

Andi's claims and intentions regarding the usefulness of the Butimo batik machine for sustaining the hand-drawn batik process seem reasonably grounded. However, introducing the Butimo batik machine to hand-drawn batik practitioners has sparked both support and opposition.

This University of Manchester doctoral graduate continues to emphasize that the Butimo hand-drawn batik machine's presence isn't to replace the entire manual batik process. Instead, it aims to enhance production quality and processes while maintaining the essence of hand-drawn batik to compete with batik printing.

Butimo is opening collaborations without requiring purchase. It offers a service to create batik motifs using the Butimo machine. MSMEs can choose their desired batik motifs, either those they've designed or requested through Butimo.

"MSMEs usually send their fabric to Butimo. We only do the klowong process, then the finishing is done by each MSME. This approach aims to make the batik process faster and more cost-effective. Thus, batik becomes more competitive in the market," explained Andi.

Not only MSMEs, Butimo is developing the Batik 4.0 service that enables customers to submit designs and choose their batik colors. Simply by accessing the Butimo website, selecting the design service, and making payment, personally designed hand-drawn batik can be queued for production until it becomes a finished product.

Experiencing the Benefits of Commercial RISPRO

Andi Sudiarso, as the head of the Butimo hand-drawn batik machine research team, truly acknowledges the benefits of LPDP's Commercial RISPRO funding. With a total grant of IDR 2.569 billion over three years, he has had the freedom and optimum conditions to develop various versions of the batik machine and plan for the Batik 4.0 product development.

"So, we're grateful to LPDP's Commercial RISPRO. With this funding, we've been able to develop various versions of the batik machine. Initially, we only had one version, one canting, and one frame, and now there are variants with two cantings, two frames, and even a single machine that, in one process, can produce two fabrics simultaneously. This is from a technological perspective. Moving forward, in the third year, we'll develop towards Batik 4.0," Andi explained.

Currently, there are 170 MSMEs collaborating with Butimo for the initial hand-drawn batik process. The Butimo machine has also sold eight units across various regions such as West Sumatra, East Kalimantan, Yogyakarta, Solo, Banyumas, Semarang, and more. Butimo has been showcased at many local and international expos, including Ritech Expo 2019, Hannover Messe 2023, and LPDP Fest 2023.