There is a wide range of soft wood, hardwood,
plywood and medium density fiberboard panels suitable for woodblock relief
printing. The ancient Japanese used
dried cherry wood planks for their prints. In 15th century Europe,
printers, such as Albrecht Dürer, used pear for their woodcuts. Both cherry and
pear are hardwoods, which hold fine lines when carved, and maintain their
detail after repeated printings. Other hardwoods can also be used. These
include maple, birch, beech, walnut.
plywood and medium density fiberboard panels suitable for woodblock relief
printing. The ancient Japanese used
dried cherry wood planks for their prints. In 15th century Europe,
printers, such as Albrecht Dürer, used pear for their woodcuts. Both cherry and
pear are hardwoods, which hold fine lines when carved, and maintain their
detail after repeated printings. Other hardwoods can also be used. These
include maple, birch, beech, walnut.
Soft woods, such as basswood, pine and poplar, can
also be used for relief printing. The drawback in using these softer materials
is that they are generally not capable of holding fine detail and not durable
enough to withstand the rigors of repeated use. Some of the softer woods are
also prone to splintering as you are carving. In a pinch, though, they are more
reasonably priced and readily available.
also be used for relief printing. The drawback in using these softer materials
is that they are generally not capable of holding fine detail and not durable
enough to withstand the rigors of repeated use. Some of the softer woods are
also prone to splintering as you are carving. In a pinch, though, they are more
reasonably priced and readily available.
Supplies of pine are abundant. Be aware that
there are many species of pine, each with its own unique properties. While a
rose is a rose is a rose, it’s not that way with pine. Among woodcarvers, sugar
pine is well regarded. It is a soft, lightweight wood that is known for its
dimensional stability and workability. It is a good wood for carving, because
it has a straight grain. Other types of pine can give you fits. With some
species of pine, the wood is prone to shrinking, warping and twisting.
there are many species of pine, each with its own unique properties. While a
rose is a rose is a rose, it’s not that way with pine. Among woodcarvers, sugar
pine is well regarded. It is a soft, lightweight wood that is known for its
dimensional stability and workability. It is a good wood for carving, because
it has a straight grain. Other types of pine can give you fits. With some
species of pine, the wood is prone to shrinking, warping and twisting.
Nothing beats a solid piece of hardwood for
holding detail. Price and availability, however, are often considerations in product
selection. When this is the case, manufactured
wood panels are also an affordable alternatives to hardwood blocks. For very
large woodcuts, many artists use plywood or medium density fiberboard or MDF.
holding detail. Price and availability, however, are often considerations in product
selection. When this is the case, manufactured
wood panels are also an affordable alternatives to hardwood blocks. For very
large woodcuts, many artists use plywood or medium density fiberboard or MDF.
Medium Density Fiberboard or MDF as well as
plywood are classified as engineered wood products. MDF is not to be confused
with particleboard. These are two
different products. MDF is comprised of much smaller particles of wood, along
with wax and a resin that binds everything together. It is much denser, heavier and much stronger
than particle board.
plywood are classified as engineered wood products. MDF is not to be confused
with particleboard. These are two
different products. MDF is comprised of much smaller particles of wood, along
with wax and a resin that binds everything together. It is much denser, heavier and much stronger
than particle board.
Compared with wood blocks and plywood, MDF has
no knots, surface imperfections or wood grain to contend with. Because there is
no grain, you don’t have to worry about tear out when you are carving. You
cannot, however, maintain the same level of detail as real wood or plywood. MDF
will also dull your carving tools much faster.
no knots, surface imperfections or wood grain to contend with. Because there is
no grain, you don’t have to worry about tear out when you are carving. You
cannot, however, maintain the same level of detail as real wood or plywood. MDF
will also dull your carving tools much faster.
Plywood is another engineered wood product. It
is comprised of many different wood veneer layers or plies, which are glued
together. Available in many different product types, plywood is actually stronger and more stable than a solid
plank of wood. What gives it its strength is that the plies are cross grained,
meaning that the grain direction alternates from one ply to another.
is comprised of many different wood veneer layers or plies, which are glued
together. Available in many different product types, plywood is actually stronger and more stable than a solid
plank of wood. What gives it its strength is that the plies are cross grained,
meaning that the grain direction alternates from one ply to another.
For relief printing, the outer veneer of the
plywood is what is important. The best product for carving is cherry
plywood. Cherry is a hard wood that can hold
detail. In purchasing wood for relief carving, your best bet is to buy from a
supplier to the printing market rather than a lumber yard.
plywood is what is important. The best product for carving is cherry
plywood. Cherry is a hard wood that can hold
detail. In purchasing wood for relief carving, your best bet is to buy from a
supplier to the printing market rather than a lumber yard.
One type of plywood that is popular among
Japanese printers is Shina Plywood. Made from a type of Linden tree, this
plywood is very even grained and virtually blemish free. Shina is a soft wood,
similar to basswood in the U.S., only denser, harder and capable of holding
finer detail. Typically, Shina plywood can be carved on both sides of the
board. If you intend to carve both sides, you should tape a heavy piece of
board to prevent denting of the wood.
Japanese printers is Shina Plywood. Made from a type of Linden tree, this
plywood is very even grained and virtually blemish free. Shina is a soft wood,
similar to basswood in the U.S., only denser, harder and capable of holding
finer detail. Typically, Shina plywood can be carved on both sides of the
board. If you intend to carve both sides, you should tape a heavy piece of
board to prevent denting of the wood.
Many artists love wood for prints because its
texture and grain can give their work a unique, natural feel. Not everyone
feels this way. Picasso, for example, hated using wood for relief printing. For
him, the unexpected results that wood would sometimes impart on the finished
print, didn’t give the print additional character. Instead, he felt that it was
a flaw that detracted from the prints appearance. That’s why Picasso opted to
use linoleum instead of wood.
texture and grain can give their work a unique, natural feel. Not everyone
feels this way. Picasso, for example, hated using wood for relief printing. For
him, the unexpected results that wood would sometimes impart on the finished
print, didn’t give the print additional character. Instead, he felt that it was
a flaw that detracted from the prints appearance. That’s why Picasso opted to
use linoleum instead of wood.
Linoleum is made from a mixture of linseed oil,
pine rosin, ground cork dust, wood flour along with mineral fillers, such as
calcium carbonate. Be aware that the
mineral fillers will dull your carving knives quickly. For relief printing, you
can order this substrate either as loose sheets or mounted to a board.
pine rosin, ground cork dust, wood flour along with mineral fillers, such as
calcium carbonate. Be aware that the
mineral fillers will dull your carving knives quickly. For relief printing, you
can order this substrate either as loose sheets or mounted to a board.
If you want evaluate the suitability of a
product for your printing requirements, it is best to test as a sample. As I
tell people, Test, Don’t Guess. Some suppliers will provide you with free
samples just for the asking.
product for your printing requirements, it is best to test as a sample. As I
tell people, Test, Don’t Guess. Some suppliers will provide you with free
samples just for the asking.
Storage
Wood is a natural material. It can absorb
moisture and lose it. As it does, a woodblock expands and contracts. When block
warps or distorts, it is unusable for relief printing. Store the substrate that
you are using for woodcuts in a controlled environment, away from high heat and
moisture. Panels should be stored flat. As one wood expert told me, if you want
a piece of wood to stay flat, store it flat.
moisture and lose it. As it does, a woodblock expands and contracts. When block
warps or distorts, it is unusable for relief printing. Store the substrate that
you are using for woodcuts in a controlled environment, away from high heat and
moisture. Panels should be stored flat. As one wood expert told me, if you want
a piece of wood to stay flat, store it flat.
An excellent source of tools and materials for relief carving is:
McClain's Printmaking Supplies
15685 SW 116th Avenue PMB 202
King City, OR 97224-2695
www.imcclains.com
800.832.4264
International: 00.1.503.641.3555
RECOMMENDED READING
The Woodcut Artist's Handbook: Techniques and Tools for Relief Printmaking
Making Woodblock Prints
Japanese Woodblock Print Workshop: A Modern Guide to the Ancient Art of Mokuhanga
RELATED ARTICLES
What is Relief Printing?
What are Ukiyo-e Prints?
How Japanese Printmaking Influenced Western Art
The Evolution of Color in Japanese Woodblock Printing
The Division of Labor in Ancient Japanese Print Production
Checklist for Relief Printing with Oil Based Ink
Japanese Carving Tools for Woodblock Relief Printing
Japanese Carving Knives for Woodblock Printing
Safely Carving Woodblocks, Woodcuts and Linocuts
Linocut Tips
Japanese Papers for Printmaking
How Japanese Mulberry Paper is Made
How Handmade Papers in the West are Made
Selecting a Brayer for Relief Printing
Selecting Wood for Relief Printing
Selecting an Ink for Relief Printing
Inking the Woodblock Panel
Clean Up After Relief Printing
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.
