Relief Print

Relief printing is a reductive print method in which areas of a block or plate are carved away, leaving the remaining raised areas to be inked up and then printed. Methods include woodcut, linoleum cut, rubber stamps, and surface roll etching. 

Traditionally, the artist will transfer a drawing to the block or plate (often referred to as a ‘matrix’) using transfer paper, or by drawing directly onto the surface, bearing in mind that the resulting print will be mirrored. Any text in the image must be reversed on the block in order for it to read correctly on the print. The artist then uses a set of carving tools to remove areas of the surface that they do NOT wish to be printed. Though carving tools are most commonly used, anything that can remove the surface of the block (drills, dremels, knives, sharp pencils, sandpaper etc.) can be used to create an image and achieve a variety of textures and effects.

The surface is then inked up with a roller or brayer. Paper is laid on top of the block and can be pressed into the surface using a press, a baren, back of a wooden spoon, or even your hand!

workstation
student working
relief printing artwork
student holding finished artwork
machinery
people working at table

Relief Equipment

1 Charles Brand Etching Press (52” x 32” bed size) 

1 Charles Brand Etching Press (50” x 30” bed size) 

1 Charles Brand Etching Press (48” x 26” bed size) 

1 Charles Brand Etching Press (46” x 24” bed size) 

1 Charles Brand Etching Press (30” x 16” bed size) 

Wood Blocks and Linoleum

Woodcut Tools

Large Rubber Rollers

Hand Brayers (various sizes)

Gamblin Woodcut Inks 

Block Printing Rice Paper

Barens

Eyewash Station and Emergency Shower

Exhaust Hood