Wax-print fabrics that seem so indispensable to West African traditional dress are mostly not from Africa. The most coveted, the ones that set the trends, are designed and manufactured in the Netherlands. The Dutch have dominated the African print-fabric market since the end of the nineteenth century. In Africa, where Real Dutch Wax carries a well-regarded brand authority, consumers care about the difference between the European quality and the cheap Asian imitations and knock-offs that are produced throughout Asia given that they are of lower quality fabric and print. House Rossil utilizes true Dutch wax prints. Some of our updated and contemporary designs are custom, gorgeous, colorful, and fun. Currently awareness of these fabrics is spreading throughout the fashion world and we are now finally seeing these prints being used in haute-couture with design houses now showing them as mesmerizing dress fabrics in Paris and New York.

The core element in Wax Print is of course the wax. Using two deep engraved copper rollers, with the mirror image of the design, the two sides of the cotton fabric are printed with a pattern of melted wax, hence the name Wax Print. The fact that the cloth is printed on both sides enables you to wear the product either side. This is the true sign of a quality wax print. Following this, the cloth is immersed in a bath of dye, often Indigo, that penetrates into the areas that are not covered with wax. After the wax as been washed off in varying stages, a negative image of the printed pattern remains on the cloth. This intricate wax printing process results in unique effects that makes the product so outstanding. In fact, not one single centimetre of fabric is identical to the other!

The finest quality of Wax Print is the famous ‘Superwax’. For this product uses an extra densely woven fine cotton fabric. The designs generally feature three colours; two of them show the natural crackling effect whereas the third one is a solid colour. Many Superwax fabrics are characterised by the use of bright vibrant solid colours. Originally introduced by the Dutch in and around Congo (Kinshasa), these Superwax fabrics have now become popular in the countries such as, Ivory Coast, Benin, and Nigeria and are becoming increasingly seen in European and American fashion landscapes.

The Wax Block Print is a special print with one or two colours fitted into the Wax Print design, respecting its outlines and adding to the image of the basic print. The range of colours used is extremely wide and increases the unique appeal of the fabrics. Each colour combination is an expression of individual taste and personality. Wax Block Prints are consumed in a large region of West & Central Africa, from Senegal, through the coastal areas of Ivory Coast, Ghana and Nigeria towards the more Southern African areas like Congo-Brazzaville and Congo (Kinshasa).

The earliest examples of the Java Print were sold in Indonesia on the island of Java and were inspired by local Javanese motifs and batik. The process of creating the Java Print fabrics is quite different from that of the Wax Block Print. The most obvious difference is that no wax is used. This enables the design team to create very fine and detailed motifs. Choices of a wide range of colour dyes allows designers to create unique and powerful colour ways with beautiful special effects. Today the Java Prints are mostly consumed in Indonesia and the Africa in areas around Guinea (Conakry) and Congo (Kinshasa).