The use of synthetic dyes in the batik industry may contribute to environmental pollution due to chemical residues generated during the dyeing process. Therefore, natural dyes derived from local plants have attracted attention as alternative sources of textile colorants. This study aimed to examine the color characteristics of natural dyes derived from five local plant materials when applied to hand-drawn batik using different dyeing techniques. The study employed an exploratory experimental approach, with primary data obtained through natural dye extraction, batik preparation, dyeing, fixation, and preliminary washing evaluation. The natural dye sources consisted of temulawak rhizome (Curcuma xanthorrhiza Roxb.), teak leaves (Tectona grandis L.f.), red cordyline leaves (Cordyline fruticosa), rambutan peel (Nephelium lappaceum), and avocado leaves (Persea americana). The extracted dyes were applied to mori fabric using dip and brush dyeing techniques, followed by fixation with alum. The results showed that the plant-derived dyes produced different observable color characteristics. Temulawak produced yellowish shades, while teak and avocado leaves produced brownish shades. Red cordyline leaves and rambutan peel produced reddish to purplish or brownish tones. Alum-treated samples generally showed brighter and lighter shades based on visual observation. The preliminary washing evaluation showed that most samples maintained their basic color characteristics after water washing, although some samples showed reduced visual color intensity after detergent washing. These findings provide preliminary evidence of the varied color characteristics produced by local plant-derived dyes in hand-drawn batik. Further studies using instrumental color measurement and standardized textile fastness testing are needed to provide quantitative evaluation.
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