In discussing relief
printing with blocks of wood, three similar terms used are often misused. These
are “woodblock”, “woodcut” and “wood engraving”. Admittedly I have used woodblock and woodcut interchangeably,
although I was well aware of the distinctions. To use Hillary Clinton’s phrase,
“what difference does it make?” To the purists in the printing field, the
differences are significant. To avoid
any criticism from quibblers, you should be aware of the traditional
definitions.
printing with blocks of wood, three similar terms used are often misused. These
are “woodblock”, “woodcut” and “wood engraving”. Admittedly I have used woodblock and woodcut interchangeably,
although I was well aware of the distinctions. To use Hillary Clinton’s phrase,
“what difference does it make?” To the purists in the printing field, the
differences are significant. To avoid
any criticism from quibblers, you should be aware of the traditional
definitions.
Woodblock Printing.
Woodblock printing refers to
the type of relief printing that the Japanese and Chinese practiced using
water based inks. What’s more, the term
refers to a specific process of printing practiced according to the traditions
of these Eastern peoples. The tools, materials and methods used in the Japan
and China were very different than those used in the West.
the type of relief printing that the Japanese and Chinese practiced using
water based inks. What’s more, the term
refers to a specific process of printing practiced according to the traditions
of these Eastern peoples. The tools, materials and methods used in the Japan
and China were very different than those used in the West.
Many artists today still
practice the ways of their ancestors in printing with woodblocks.
Traditionally, a key block is cut, which defines the outlines of the images. After
printing the key block with black ink, the print has the appearance of a coloring
book line work. Prior to the 18th century, woodblock prints were
hand colored.
practice the ways of their ancestors in printing with woodblocks.
Traditionally, a key block is cut, which defines the outlines of the images. After
printing the key block with black ink, the print has the appearance of a coloring
book line work. Prior to the 18th century, woodblock prints were
hand colored.
Hand coloring was later
replaced by printing the colors, one color at a time. After printing several
impressions of the key block, allowing for at least one print for each color,
the prints are then pasted onto other woodblocks and carved.
replaced by printing the colors, one color at a time. After printing several
impressions of the key block, allowing for at least one print for each color,
the prints are then pasted onto other woodblocks and carved.
Many of the Oriental prints
that fascinated European and American collectors exhibited gradations of color,
which revealed the still and artistry of the woodblock printer. These subtle
color gradations were achieved by the way the block is inked. Unlike European
artists, who use a brayer or roller to apply the ink to the wood, the Japanese
artist uses a brush which allows him more latitude in how the ink is applied to
the woodblock. Printing of one transparent
layer over another also enhanced the complexity of color that the Japanese
artist could achieve.
that fascinated European and American collectors exhibited gradations of color,
which revealed the still and artistry of the woodblock printer. These subtle
color gradations were achieved by the way the block is inked. Unlike European
artists, who use a brayer or roller to apply the ink to the wood, the Japanese
artist uses a brush which allows him more latitude in how the ink is applied to
the woodblock. Printing of one transparent
layer over another also enhanced the complexity of color that the Japanese
artist could achieve.
 |
| Note the beautifully subtle gradation of colors in the print by the Japanese ukiyo-e artist, Hiroshige. (Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons, PD-1923.) |
Woodcut Prints.
 |
| Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, woodcut by Albrecht Dürer in his series Apocalypse (c.1498)(Public domain, PD-1923.) |
Woodcuts are also a form of
relief printing. Perhaps the biggest difference with woodblock printing is that
the Japanese used water based inks, while the European artists used oil based
inks. These water based inks are transparent, producing a very soft and airy
visual appearance that is similar to the effects achieved by water colorists.
Oil based inks used in the West are usually opaque. Areas of color are more
defined and bolder, as well as being more durable. During the period, when Dürer
and Holbein produced their woodcuts, prints were black and white line work.
relief printing. Perhaps the biggest difference with woodblock printing is that
the Japanese used water based inks, while the European artists used oil based
inks. These water based inks are transparent, producing a very soft and airy
visual appearance that is similar to the effects achieved by water colorists.
Oil based inks used in the West are usually opaque. Areas of color are more
defined and bolder, as well as being more durable. During the period, when Dürer
and Holbein produced their woodcuts, prints were black and white line work.
 |
| Woodcut depicting Otto Mueller by Ernst Ludwig Kirchner (1880 – 1938) (Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons, PD-1923.) |
The other significant
difference between woodblock and woodcut prints is the printing process. Carving of woodcuts was accomplished with the
same type of woodcarving gouges used in relief carving or wood sculpture. Instead
of using brushes to ink the printing block, Western artists used brayers.
difference between woodblock and woodcut prints is the printing process. Carving of woodcuts was accomplished with the
same type of woodcarving gouges used in relief carving or wood sculpture. Instead
of using brushes to ink the printing block, Western artists used brayers.
Wood Engraving.
The third relief printing
process, which involves printing with a wooden block, is wood engraving. All three
processes involve removing wood from the printing block. Both woodblocks and
woodcuts are carved in a block of wood with a straight grain. In describing the
grain of the wood, if a block is cut with a straight grain, it means that the
wood is cut in the same direction as the fibers of wood.
process, which involves printing with a wooden block, is wood engraving. All three
processes involve removing wood from the printing block. Both woodblocks and
woodcuts are carved in a block of wood with a straight grain. In describing the
grain of the wood, if a block is cut with a straight grain, it means that the
wood is cut in the same direction as the fibers of wood.
In wood engraving, the
artist carves the end grain of the block, which is when the block is cut at a
90° angle against the grain, so that you can see the growth rings of the tree. On
the surface, this may seem like a very odd thing to do. It is also very
difficult to do. What makes the engraver’s job even more difficult is that
hardwood is generally used. So why do engravers carve the end grain?
artist carves the end grain of the block, which is when the block is cut at a
90° angle against the grain, so that you can see the growth rings of the tree. On
the surface, this may seem like a very odd thing to do. It is also very
difficult to do. What makes the engraver’s job even more difficult is that
hardwood is generally used. So why do engravers carve the end grain?
The reason is that the end
grain is very strong. So strong that carving knives were not suitable for wood
engraving. Instead, the engraver used the type of tools used for metal engraving.
The specialized engraving tools called burins, featured a sharp V-shaped
cutting tip that could carve very fine lines into the wood.
grain is very strong. So strong that carving knives were not suitable for wood
engraving. Instead, the engraver used the type of tools used for metal engraving.
The specialized engraving tools called burins, featured a sharp V-shaped
cutting tip that could carve very fine lines into the wood.
The strength of the end
grain made it ideal for long production runs in a letterpress. This process was
introduced in the 19th century and was used in the United States in
several of the country’s major publications. The advantage of wood engravings
was its ability to reproduce the realistic drawings prior to the introduction
of halftones used in offset lithography.
grain made it ideal for long production runs in a letterpress. This process was
introduced in the 19th century and was used in the United States in
several of the country’s major publications. The advantage of wood engravings
was its ability to reproduce the realistic drawings prior to the introduction
of halftones used in offset lithography.
Compared to woodblock
printing and woodcuts, this art form captured the subtle gradations of value
required in printing intricate illustrations as well as fine art drawings. Wood
engravings typically were printed with black ink only.
printing and woodcuts, this art form captured the subtle gradations of value
required in printing intricate illustrations as well as fine art drawings. Wood
engravings typically were printed with black ink only.
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About Jim Hingst: After fourteen years as Business Development Manager at RTape, Jim Hingst retired. He was involved in many facets of the company’s business, including marketing, sales, product development and technical service.
Hingst began his career 42 years ago in the graphic arts field creating and producing advertising and promotional materials for a large test equipment manufacturer. Working for offset printers, large format screen printers, vinyl film manufacturers, and application tape companies, his experience included estimating, production planning, purchasing and production art, as well as sales and marketing. In his capacity as a salesman, Hingst was recognized with numerous sales achievement awards.
Drawing on his experience in production and as graphics installation subcontractor, Hingst provided the industry with practical advice, publishing more than 150 articles for publications, such as Signs Canada, SignCraft, Signs of the Times, Screen Printing, Sign and Digital Graphics and Sign Builder Illustrated. He also posted more than 400 stories on his blog (hingstssignpost.blogspot.com). In 2007 Hingst’s book, Vinyl Sign Techniques, was published. Vinyl Sign Techniques is available at sign supply distributors and at Amazon.
