A block print is a printed piece created using the block printing method. The printer carves the design to be printed into a solid block, similar to a stamp, in block printing. The block can be used on paper or textiles, and the design can include text or be entirely visual. Block printing is an old printing technique, and there are numerous examples of historical block prints in European and Asian historical records.
The origins of the block print can be traced back to Mesopotamian round cylinder seals. These seals are the first known examples of a fixed design on an element intended to be rolled over another element and transferred. Originally, cylinder seals were carved stone or clay, but printers began to use wood because it was easier to handle and carve. For hundreds of years, woodblock prints, also known as woodcuts, dominated the fledgling publishing industry. Although the technique for creating the block with which to print is different, the engraving is a descendant of the block print.
The block print medium was used by many famous artists, including Hiroshige. Books and other printed materials were also made with block prints. Printers quickly learned how to make multi-colored block prints by layering colors using blocks with different designs on them. It could take weeks to carve a complex printing block to perfection, and if there was an error, the entire block would have to be scrapped. Because the block prints in reverse, carvers needed to have excellent design sense because the image had to be carved in reserve so that it would print correctly. A well-crafted block print is a stunning work of art that represents hours of work and a keen eye for design.
A block print can be made using a variety of methods. The block is first inked with the help of a roller. The carved areas will appear white in the finished product, while the raised areas will print. The printer can use the block to stamp paper, place paper on the block and rub it, or mount the block in a printing press. Each technique produces a slightly different style of block print, and if the block is properly cared for, it can be used again and again.
Making your own block print is relatively simple. Working with wood can be difficult, but linoleum is a great substitute. Linoleum prints are created by carving pieces of linoleum, and they are simple to make at home. Many art supply stores sell linoleum designed for linoleum cuts, as well as the tools needed to carve it. With ink, a roller, and paper, the artist is ready to begin printing, with only his or her imagination as a limit.