Woodcut is one of the most ancient forms of art which was mainly originated in China back in the 5th century. This art arrived in Europe ten centuries later. The Chinese mainly made the religious woodcut prints which were not that much fascinating compared to the Japanese wood carving arts. The Japanese, though learnt from the Chinese and the Koreans, managed to create some awesome prints which are still praised. The Chinese woodcut prints were created only in black and white when the Japanese utilised three colours in their print. Later, the Japanese added more 11 blocks of colours which made their work more sophisticated. Though the modern designs use more colours, the fascination of those prints is still the same because of the engravings, shadings and depth of the designs.

Nowadays three methods are used for making prints on wood. The first one is known as the "Relief Method” in which the print is done on a raised surface. The second method is the "Intaglio” where the print is done by burning the woods. The third one is the "Planographic Process” where printing is done using the slabs of limestone.

The Printing Process

The modern technologies have made the woodcut process much easier. You can print even without using the printing press. The process and required materials for making wood prints are given below.

The materials you will need are:

1.The Printing Ink: You can use any one of the water-based or oil-based blocks printing ink.

2.Ink Roller: Made of rubber

3.Wood Block: You can use any type of soft wood like the pine.

4.Cutting Tools: You need some wood cutting tools for making different shapes. U-shaped, V-shaped and the straight-edged tools are mostly used tools.

5.White Pencil

6.Wood Spoon: It works as the alternative of the printing press. A large wooden spoon with flat and broad back is used here.

7.Paper: The printmaking papers are acid-free. They can be either standard white papers or the handmade papers of a different type.

When you have all these elements you can start your wood printing process.

Step one: Prepare your Blocks

This is the first and most important step of woodcut printing. Remember your print will be exactly the same as your carved image. SO, it is better to sketch your idea on a paper. Then using the ink roller and black printing ink you need to coat the block. After drying the black ink draw the image on the block. Here you need to use the white ink pen or the white pencil. The white lines will be more visible in the black coating. It will make the carving process easier for you.

Step Two: Carve the drawn Image

Now using you can carve the image using the carving tools. For an expressive image, you can use broad cutting tools when for the more detailed realistic images you need to use smaller V-shaped tools. You also need to be careful when doing the later one.

Step Three: Proof your Image if Necessary

You can also proof your image if you want to know if any part needs to adjust or not. I will recommend to avoid it as much as you can. Remember, if you proof your block the lighter carved areas may look darker after you clean it. It can affect the printed image.

Step Four: Ink the Block

Now that you are done with the carving its time for colouring the wood. Take some ink on a smooth and flat surface. It also needs to be non-absorbent like the glass. After that roll, out the roller on the ink and make a thin layer with it. Only use one-way motion when coating your roller with ink. Using back and forth motion will coat it with too much ink which can overflow the carved out areas and your image will not look good. Also, you should avoid too little ink as it will not bring the desired look of the carved image. A thin layer of ink will help to get a sharp and crisp image.

Step Five: Compete the Process by Printing the Block

Printing the block is easier if you use the printing press. If you don't have one you can do this using paper and a wide wooden spoon. After inking your block place the paper on it and rub the spoon in a circular motion. Continue it until you feel that all the ink has been transferred. You can judge your process by peeling one corner of the paper and make necessary adjustments. After it, leave the block for drying and you will have the carved wood painted image.

Though the invention of photography has lessened the demand for the wood prints. The artistic value of these carvings is still the same.

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