There are so many forms of arts and crafts, some of them ancient and some of them brand new. Block printing, or linocut, is a technique as old as time, and yet it has gained a recent resurgence of popularity as a modern hobby.
So, what is block printing? Block printing involves carving a design into a block of wood or similarly stiff material and then using it as a stamp to transfer the design onto a piece of paper, fabric, or other material. This process produces a mirror image of the carved block.
Over the past few hundred years, block printing has evolved into multiple forms, some of which you actually use in your everyday life, such as rubber stamps. In this article, we’ll explain all there is to know about block printing and how you can start it as your new favorite hobby.
History
Early examples of block prints can be found in China, dating back to the 3rd century AD. Block prints are usually made from small images that are repeated in a pattern to produce large works of art and are now commonly seen in fabric and card printing.
Paper was invented shortly after that and was also a common media for block printing artworks. In China, block printing was the only way to mass-print books for centuries, with each page being carefully carved into a wooden block and transferred onto paper. This predates the printing press by about 1,000 years.
This was also the reason that block printing started becoming popular in the rest of Asia and was picked up in Europe a few centuries later. Block printing quickly became a practical printing technique as well as an art form, producing famous works such as The Great Wave off the Coast of Kanagawa (1831).
Depending on the type of material used and the size of the knife, it is possible to capture a fine degree of detail in each print, which is why it’s considered a highly sophisticated art form.
Types Of Block Printing
There are a variety of materials and techniques used in block printing. Let’s quickly take a look at each type below.
1. Block Printing On Wood
Woodcut printing is considered the first form of block printing, where artisans use designs carved out of a solid wood object to transfer prints onto fabric or paper.
When block printing on wood, a piece of hardwood like oak and pine is preferred over softwoods like cedar and pine because hardwoods can hold fine details better than other types of wood.
While hardwood is commonly used as a material for printmaking, some synthetic woods, such as medium-density fiberboard (MDF) or plywood, are becoming more popular substitutes thanks to their affordability.
2. Block Printing On Fabric
Block printing on fabric is a unique technique that is most popular in textile production in India. Due to its long history and specialization, the country is renowned for its fine fabrics and specially formulated dyes that can create beautiful patterns on fabric using this technique.
Today, you can still find numerous communities dedicated to this art in and around Jaipur, India.
When block printing on fabric, patterns, and designs are first drawn on wood, then the piece of wood is carved and then mounted on handles. They are then dipped in non-toxic dyes, and the design is then transferred to fabric.
Each woodblock is used with a different color, so a design often requires several pattern blocks to get the right look. It’s easy to tell the difference between hand-printed and digitally printed fabrics since the patterns can look imperfect because of the handprint nature of this technique.
3. Japanese Ukiyo-e Woodblock Prints
The most famous example of block printing in Japan is Ukiyo-e, which is a genre of Japanese art that was popularized during the Edo Period (17th – 19 century). Although block printing was already common before this period, it really flourished with this art movement.
In Ukiyo-e, the blocks were hand-carved by artists and artisans, and each block was used to “print” a different color. Rather than using ink or dye, the color pigments were actually mixed with oil to give the prints a more transparent appearance.
Famous Ukiyo-e artworks include The Great Wave off the Coast of Kanagawa (1831), Kabuki Actor Ōtani Oniji III as Yakko Edobei (1794), or The Plum Garden in Kameido (1857).
Following Japan’s reopening in the 19th century, Ukiyo-e block printing was reintroduced in Europe and had a significant influence on early works by Van Gogh and Manet.
4. Block Printing On Linoleum (Linocut)
A linocut is a type of block printing that involves carving an image into a block of linoleum rather than wood. Linocut prints are made using the same process as woodcuts but use linoleum blocks as their base.
Linoleum is a material that’s softer than hardwood but stronger than rubber stamps, so it holds fine details quite well while being relatively affordable. Compared to woodblock printing, linoleum doesn’t splint or warp when exposed to the elements, which makes it better for long-term use.
Linocut is a popular option among modern block printing hobbyists.
5. Reduction Block Printing
Picasso was one of the first to use reduction printing back in the 1950s. This technique involves printing a series of prints on a single block, with the material being removed between each inking to create a design.
Once the first layer has been carved, and the first layer of ink has been printed, the block is carved again, and a new color is added over the previous layer. This process continues until the final product is achieved.
This is a technique that is beloved by artists because it requires much skill, as it is a painstaking process that isn’t very forgiving of mistakes. Since you can’t really go back to the first design, it’s often used to produce limited prints rather than mass production.
6. Rubber Stamps
Similar to linoleum, rubber is a durable surface that can be carved to produce fine detail and transfer a design into a surface. Most people associate it with office work or children’s toys; rubber is a great material to experiment with while block printing.
Rubber is also a great material to practice with, especially for beginners. Since it’s quite affordable and the material is soft enough to carve without a lot of brute force, it has become quite popular in block printing.
Multi-Block Block Printing
A challenge with block printing is that if you want to add more colors to your print, you will have to produce several blocks to add different colors to the print.
Sometimes, when the colors don’t overlap, you can use the same block to transfer two or three colors at the same time, but in most instances, you will need to produce the same number of blocks as the number of colors that you have.
When using this technique, make sure that the blocks are registered (line up) correctly. Doing so will keep the layers looking neat and stacking up correctly as they are printed. Professionals always have tricks to keep the design lined up.
Although carving the blocks may be time-consuming, using multiple blocks allows you to control the printing of the final product and tweak the print as needed. Once the blocks are carved, you can produce as many prints as you want in just a few minutes, similar to screen printing.
Block Printing Process
The basic process of block printing has remained the same since this craft first came to be. Let’s dive into the basic steps to create a block print.
1. Design The Print
Designing the print is the first and most important step for block printing. You can start with sketches on paper and then experiment with patterns and compositions.
Keep in mind that the print will become the mirror image of your design, so if you are putting text in your design, you will need to carve the mirror image into the block in order for the print to turn out correctly.
You can use paper and pencil in this step, and you can totally use digital tools such as Photoshop, Illustrator, or Procreate (iPad app) to tweak your design. These tools are great if you want to play around with the colors and composition, and they also make it easy to mirror the design to carve on your block.
After you’re happy with the design, you can finalize your design on paper (or print it out). Using graphite transfer paper, you can transfer the design onto your block.
If you have a simple design, you can also skip this step and draw directly on your block.
2. Carve The Block
Using carving tools, you can carve the design out of the wood or linoleum block. What is removed from the block will not appear on paper, so keep that in mind since it will be the reverse of what’s on your design.
There are a lot of tools that can help you in this process. You can hold non-skid shelf lining to hold your block in place for carving. Depending on the material of your block (wood, linoleum, or rubber), you can pick the right carving tool that will work well.
If you’re impatient, you can continuously check the progress of your design by using a brayer to transfer some ink into your woodblock and print as you go. This “test” step is helpful if you need to make changes to your design as needed.
3. Ink The Block
After you’re happy with the carved-out design on your block, you can apply ink onto the block using an ink roller or sponge to create an even coat. You can even put your ink on a flat surface and use the block to pick it up, similar to stamping.
During this step, make sure that the ink is not dripping from the block, as it can drip on the paper and totally ruin your work. That’s why using the sponge to apply several layers of ink onto the block will keep the ink from dripping.
4. Print The Image
When you’re ready to print, press the paper over the inked block and use a brayer (or a large spoon) to press on the paper to transfer the ink.
This step can also be done with an etching press, which is preferred by a lot of artists and professional printers to create an even result.
5. Retouch Or Keep Printing
Sometimes, you’ll see mistakes in the design only after the first print. Don’t worry, because you can always go back and fix your mistakes and try printing again. Once you’re happy with the design, you can use the same block to print numerous copies of the same design with ease.
Keep in mind that depending on the ink that you use, you will have to wait a while for the ink to dry completely before you can frame or pack up the design.
Block Printing Supplies
Block printing can be done with various tools and materials, and depending on the type of printmaking you do, you may need the following supplies:
1. Blocks
This is a basic material that is in the name of the technique – you will need a block to carve into to create your design. As mentioned, you can choose hardwood, MDF, linoleum, or rubber blocks. For beginners, linoleum or rubber are the easiest to work with and also the most affordable options.
Linoleum comes in small 4” by 6” blocks that you can use to practice, but if you want to save some money, you can always buy large blocks (18” by 24”) and cut them to the size of your print later using a box cutter.
2. Carving Tools
If you are using soft blocks like linoleum, carving tool sets are pretty affordable. However, if you want to make block printing a long-term practice, investing in quality carving tools is the key.
Gouges come in various shapes and sizes, but the V and U ones are the most versatile. You should also invest in sharpening tools to keep your gouges sharp, which makes a world of difference in how well your design will turn out.
3. Brayer
A brayer is a type of ink roller that is commonly used for block printing. They are usually cheap to buy but not required for beginners.
Brayers come in a variety of sizes, so you can get one that fits the size of your project. They can help you apply the ink in a few thin layers to help prevent the ink from getting stuck in the carved recesses of the block or bleeding out to the areas that you don’t want to be printed.
4. Ink
Block printing ink comes in numerous brands and formulas, and it takes some testing and experimenting to find your favorite one. There are water-based and oil-based inks that can produce different results for your print.
Oil-based ink tends to take longer to dry compared to water-based ink, but it can produce a lovely transparent result that can resemble the quality of Ukiyo-e prints.
Whatever you choose, we recommend using non-toxic ink that can be easily cleaned up using soap and water, which makes it easy to clean up your block after printing.
5. Paper
Assuming that you are printing on paper (rather than fabric), quality paper can help decide the quality of your final print. We recommend using paper that is specially created for printmaking or even Japanese washi paper to help you create a precise, crisp print.
6. Baren
A baren is a type of handheld press that you can use to transfer the design from your block to your paper. This tool is not required, as you can use numerous flat tools (even a big spoon) to transfer the design, but it will help you apply an even pressure on the paper to create a nice and clean result.
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