Date of Issue : 20 Jun 2017
Postmark : Kuala Lumpur
Denomination : 2 x RM3.00
Stamp Size : 30 mm x 30 mm
Paper : Tullis Russell High Reading Yellow / Green Phosphor Gummed Stamp Paper 103 gsm
Printing Process : Lithography
Batik is an important traditional handicraft in Malaysia, and the majority of batik in Malaysia is produced in the East Coast region in Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang. The word batik originated to the process of dying cloth using wax to create patterns on the cloth. Batik inspired stamps made its debut in Malaysia's stamps in 2005 – Malaysian Batik issued on 2 Dec 2005. Twelve years later, this stamp issue by Pos Malaysia in 2017, consists of six regular stamps and a miniature sheet, once again features Malaysian Batik, showcasing different ways to produce batik. The two stamps in the miniature sheet above show the simplest form of block batik printing, where the metal block with floral design is first immersed in wax and stamped onto the fabric, then dyed and boiled to remove the wax. The result is a simple but elegant batik of rusty-red and traditional white floral design – simply stunning!