The World of Wax Print: 10 Skills in 90 Seconds
· Episode 10 of 10
Episode 10 / 10 · Review
Review: Patterns, Supply Chain, and Quality Checks
Name the four wax print pattern families, explain why pattern names belong to communities rather than factories, identify the three producer tiers in the global supply chain, and list the five physical tests used to assess authenticity.
The four pattern families are geometric, figurative, botanical, and abstract (plus the placement print). Names belong to communities because meaning is assigned socially through use and cultural context, not by manufacturers — the same cloth can carry different names and meanings across regions. The three producer tiers are: authentic wax-resist from European mills, authentic wax-resist from African producers, and printed wax-effect fabric from Asian manufacturers mimicking the look without the resist process. The five inspection tests are: (1) double-sided colour check, (2) presence of crackle lines, (3) hand feel, (4) colour registration accuracy, and (5) selvage markings.
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