THE USE OF CLOVE LEAVES (Syzygium aromaticum L.) AS NATURAL DYE FOR BATIK PRODUCTION IN KASUMEDANGAN BATIK INDUSTRY, INDONESIA.

The use of synthetic dyes in the batik production process has an impact on environmental pollution and threatens human health. To overcome this problem, the use of natural dyes as materials for coloring batik cloth is one of the solutions offered. Apart from being environmentally friendly, the use of natural dyes is an effort to preserve ancestral traditions that have local wisdom and as an effort to utilize abundant natural resources. This study used a laboratory experimental method using one fixed variable, namely natural coloring agent from extracted clove leaves and two changing variables, namely the fixator in the form of ferrous sulfate (FeSC)4) and lime solution (Ca(OH)2). The test parameters are color resistance through the washing process and color resistance by the solar radiation process. The research was conducted collaboratively between researchers and batik artisans at the Umy May Batik Studio in Tanjungsari, Sumedang Regency. The results showed a variation in color direction based on the type of natural dye and the type of fixator used. The color of Kasumedangan batik cloth in the Cadas Pangeran motif using clove leaf extract with two different fixators produces cream and dark brown colors. Based on the test results, the color resistance to washing 40'C shows the level of color resistance of clove leaves using the ferrous sulfate fixator is good (value 4-5 from a scale of 5) and lime solution fixator is categorized as good (value 4-5 from scale 5). Meanwhile, the results of the color fastness test to light: day light using ferrous sulfate were found to be categorized as quite fairly good (value 3-4 from a scale of 5) and using lime solution was categorized as good (value 4 from a scale of 5). Based on these results, it can be concluded that the clove leaf extract can be used as an environmentally friendly dye for batik cloth and has local wisdom and added value for batik craftsmen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]