Wood Block Print, also frequently referred to as woodcut, represents the earliest known printmaking method. As a relief printing process, it involves meticulously carving a design directly into the surface of a wood block, typically using knives and specialized tools. The areas that remain raised after this carving process are inked to create the print, while the carved-away areas, sitting lower than the surface, do not hold ink, resulting in blank spaces in the final image.
Essential woodcut tools including a wood block, chisels, gouges, knives, ink ball, roller, and ink are laid out on a surface.
Preparing the Wood Block for Printing
The foundation of a successful wood block print lies in the preparation of the wood block itself. Pear wood is often favored for this purpose, chosen for its fine grain and workability. The wood is sawn along the grain and then planed to achieve a smooth surface, essential for detailed carving. Seasoning follows, a crucial step to reduce the wood’s moisture content. This drying process minimizes the risks of warping and cracking, ensuring the block’s longevity and stability during printing.
The dimensions of the wood block are dictated by the intended image size, with the printing press capacity setting the ultimate limit. Large-scale prints may necessitate the use of multiple blocks, each carved and printed separately before being assembled into the complete artwork. Smaller blocks are preferred for their resistance to cracking over time or under the intense pressure of the printing process. Block thickness is also a key consideration for ease of handling and durability, with approximately one inch considered ideal to prevent wear and tear.
Transferring the Design and Carving the Block
Once the wood block is properly prepared, the design needs to be transferred onto its surface. This can be achieved by drawing directly onto the block or by adhering a sketch to it. Another common method involves transferring a design from paper using chalk or graphite. The back of the design on paper is coated with chalk or graphite, then positioned on the block, and traced with a stylus. The pressure from the stylus transfers the chalk or graphite lines, effectively imprinting the design onto the wood surface.
Animation showing the process of placing a drawing onto a prepared wood block to transfer the design for woodcut printmaking.
The carving of wood blocks is often entrusted to professional block cutters, skilled artisans who employ chisels, gouges, and knives with precision. These tools are used to carefully remove sections of the wood block, specifically those areas that are intended to be blank in the final print and therefore should not receive ink.
Animated demonstration of a skilled artisan carving a design into a wood block using specialized tools for woodcut printing.
The lines and shapes that constitute the image are left raised, standing in “relief” above the carved-away areas of the block. This characteristic is why woodcut is classified as a relief printmaking technique, where the ink sits on the raised surfaces.
A wood block shown in raking light reveals the carved design, highlighting the raised areas that will hold ink for printing.
Inking and Printing the Wood Block
With the carving complete, the next step is inking the block. This is done evenly using a dauber, traditionally an ink ball, or a modern roller. Care is taken to ensure the ink coats the raised surfaces uniformly without spilling into the recessed areas, which must remain ink-free.
Animation illustrating the inking process of a wood block using a roller to evenly distribute ink across the raised surface.
The inked wood block is then positioned on the bed of a printing press. A sheet of paper, often dampened to improve ink absorption, is carefully placed over the inked block surface. Printmakers may use either a platen press, which applies pressure directly from above, or a roller press, which moves a roller over the paper and block. While early relief prints might have been made by hand-pressing paper onto the block, the printing press is preferred for achieving consistent ink distribution and pressure across the print.
Animated depiction of a wood block print being created using a printing press, showcasing the pressure applied to transfer ink to paper.
Upon printing, the design on the woodcut appears reversed compared to its original orientation on the block. This mirror image effect is a characteristic trait of relief printing and a consideration artists must account for when creating their designs for wood block print.
Comparison image showing a finished woodcut print next to the original carved wood block, illustrating the reversed image effect in printmaking.
Wood block print remains a vital and expressive art form, appreciated for its bold lines, textural qualities, and historical significance within the broader history of printmaking.
Liz Zanis (American, born 1980). Big Rocks, 2018. Woodcut and woodblock. Courtesy of the artist
