This document discusses methods and materials for relief printmaking techniques. It describes the main types of relief printmaking as woodcut and linocut. It explains the single block method, multi-block method, and reduction block method. For each method it provides details on how to prepare blocks and apply ink to produce black and white or multicolored prints. The document also lists and describes the basic tools and materials needed for relief printmaking, including various woods, linoleum, knives, gouges, inks, rollers, papers, and other miscellaneous supplies.

1. International Referred Research Journal,October, 2011,ISSN-0975-3486, RNI: RAJBIL 2009/30097, VOL-III *ISSUE 25
Research Paper—Visual Arts
Methods and Materials of Relief
Printmaking Technique
October, 2011 * Dr. Amita Raj Goyal, ** Ms. Garima Jain,
* Sr. Asstt. Professor. ** Research Scholar. Dept. of Visual Arts, The IIS University, Jaipur
A Relief print is an image produced by a raised surface block merely acts as a support for the ink, which is
(in relief) which is inked by a roller and then the im- entirely controlled by a series of stencils.
pression is transferred to Multi-block method
paper by applying pressure Separate relief blocks are used for each color. With this
to the entire block evenly. method we can produce a quantity of multicolored
These prints are mirror prints with high degree of color consistency.
images of the block. Each separate color is printed from its own block;
Woodcut and Linocut are therefore the same number of blocks will be needed.
the main types of Relief Each block is prepared by cutting away the non-print-
Printmaking techniques. ing areas, i.e., leaving the single color area which has
to be printed from the block in relief. Ink is rolled on
Wood-cut these blocks in the same way as done in the single color
A relief print taken from a block of wood, prints. The main disadvantage of this method is the
where the non-printing areas are removed with the registration of the colored images with the key plate
help of a sharp knife and various tools. (or block).
Historically this style of printmaking has been very The key plate is usually the black printing
popular in Oriental art and in Renaissance Northern block and as the name implies, it carries the outline
Europe Art. Woodcuts were characterized by bold image which, when printed in register with the other
designs of great beauty. These images were loved and colors, locks or fits the complete picture together.
appreciated by the Impressionist and Post-Impression- Its one advantage is, if we want to print large flat color
ist artists and were an important factor in the develop- area, we can use lino block and can prepare our own
ment of modern art. blocks to get the desired effects.
Lino-cut Reduction block method
A relief print taken from a block of linoleum, carved Since we encounter problems in registration process
and prepared in the same way as in the wood-cut. Lino of the multi-block method, the reduction block method
Cuts are a form of printmaking made popular by is recommended.
Picasso. It involves removal of the image at every stage
Method and Material of printing a color in the same block, until finally only
There are various ways to make a print. the last color print image is left. It is sometimes also
* Single block method called the Suicide or Elimination method. Only a
* Multi-block method limited edition prints can be produced in this method.
* Reduction method. All the copies of the edition are printed with this block,
Single block method which will then be re-carved for the next step. As the
This method involves the removal of the non- colors have to be printed in an order which cannot be
printing areas, leaving the printing area in the raised reversed, we cannot go back to the first color once we
form. Most of these prints are Black & White. have proceeded to the next because the previous color
Multi-color inking on a single block can also be done. image has been carved away in this process.
For this we have to cut one or more stencils from a stiff Materials
paper. This stencil can be placed on the block and the 1. Lino Lino is a floor covering made by laying a
ink is rolled on it. Only the area which was not covered mixture of linseed oil, resin, powered cork and color
with the stencil gets the ink and then the same process pigments on a backing of wo-
is repeated again to apply next color with a new sten- ven jute. It is easy to work with,
cil. Finally after applying all the colors we can take the as it has no grains it can be cut
print. After cleaning the block, it can be used again in any direction and to any size
with another stencil and other color inks. Here the and shape.
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2. International Referred Research Journal,October, 2011,ISSN-0975-3486, RNI: RAJBIL 2009/30097, VOL-III *ISSUE 25
2. Wood
Many kinds of wood can be used for
woodcut printing like old worn out
discarded boards, burnt pieces of
wood and other woods that may give
interesting textures.
3. Tools
Knife and gouges are the 6. Rollers
basic tools. Gouges come
Rollers are made of gelatin, rubber or polyurethane,
with 'U' and 'V' shaped cut-
and come in various sizes. Rubber rollers are very
ting heads. The U-shaped
good and easy to clean.
tool can also be used like V-
shaped tool for drawing
freely and the shallow U-
shaped tool for clearing
away the non-printing areas. These tools are made
from harder steel. The knife is the most important
among the other tools.
4. Ink The ink used for printmaking is not thin like 7. Paper
drawing ink and are Oil based and The ideal paper for relief printing is pure, strong and
water based. unsized. We will need two sorts of papers to begin
with: newsprint and cartridge for rough proofing and
good quality acid-free paper for final proofing and
edition and should have good capacity to absorb ink.
8. Miscellaneous material
* Sand paper for smoothing the wood block surface.
* Tracing and carbon paper and pencils for transfer-
ring design to the block.
* Sharpening stone to sharp tools after every few cuts.
* For drying prints clips to hang them up on a string
5. Mixing knives or wire rack (racks specially made for drying prints).
A flexible knife is the best tool for mixing ink. * White spirit, turpentine or kerosene, old newspapers
Printmaker's palette knives are long and with a rounded and soft rags for cleaning.
or squared end.
R E F E R E N C E
1-www.arteducation.com.au 2 www.arteducation.com.au 3.Prints and printmaking (pg. no. 72) 4.The complete manual of relief printmaking
(pg. no. 48) 5. The complete manual of relief printmaking (pg. no. 60) 6. Gouge refers to one of several types of cutting tools; a chisel with
a rounded, trough like blade. 7. The complete manual of relief printmaking (pg. no. 118)
1. Prints & Printmaking Edition published 1988 by New Burlington Books London 2. The Complete Manual of Relief Printmaking
By Rosemary Simmons & Katie Clemson Published in Great Britan 1988 Dorling Kinderseley Limited, 9 Henrietta Street, London WC2
3. Kashth Chaapa Kala By Shyam Sharma First edition 1999 Published by Hindi Granth Academy Patana 4. www.wikipedia.org 5.
www.onlineartcenter.com 6. www.arteducation.com.au 7. www.onlineartcenter.com
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