What Is a Woodcut Print?

History

Woodcut is a form of relief printmaking whereby ink is transferred to paper or fabric using the raised surface of a wood block. The process is thought to have originated in China in the 9th century and has been refined in Japan. The technique appeared in Europe around 1400. Woodcut is considered the oldest of the major printmaking methods.

Process

A design is drawn or transferred to a wood block, then all areas that are not to print are cut away. For example, with a black and white print, all areas to remain white would be removed. Then, the remaining surface is covered in ink using a roller. A sheet of paper is placed over the inked block and pressure applied to transfer the ink to paper. The pressure can be applied by a printmaking press or various hand held rubbing tools such as a wooden spoon, a large round drawer pull or the traditional japanese baren. For multi color prints, a single block is usually required to print each color.

Tools and Materials

For my woodcuts, I generally use birch veneer plywood for the blocks. I cut the block using small hand held gouges. One has a small “V” tip and another a larger “C ” tip. These tools must be frequently honed on a leather strop to maitain their razor edge. I print with oil based inks on a variety of papers made from a combination of cotton, kozo, mulberry and other natural fibers. For pressure, I use either a japanese baren or large etching press.