A print is an ink design transferred to paper from a surface. Woodcut and
linocut prints are relief prints, meaning that the top surface transfers the
image. The basic idea of block printing is that the non-printing parts of the
design are carved away from the block. The remaining surface is covered with
ink and pressed on to a sheet of paper transferring the image. Plywood, wood
planks or linoleum sheeting, usually glued to a wood base, can be used as the
block. The pressing can be done with a printing press, a tool called a baren,
or even the back of a spoon. For small blocks like my business cards I have
pressed them by standing on the block. The edition is the total number of
prints published not including artist's proofs.
Multiple colors can be achieved a number of ways: multiple blocks,
reduction printing, block print over a monoprint , handcoloring with water
color or stencil.
