Relief Printing: An Overview of a Traditional Printmaking Technique

What is relief printing?

How is relief printing different from other printmaking techniques?

Answer:

Relief printing is a technique where a carved matrix is inked on the raised surfaces, which then print an image onto paper. It's known for its bold, graphic look with strong contrasts. Common forms include woodcuts and linoleum cuts.

Relief printing is a printmaking technique where the printing plate, or matrix, is carved with carving tools to create an image. The non-image areas are carved away, leaving the image areas at the original surface level, which can be inked and then transferred onto paper. Carvers remove or scrape sections of the matrix to create the desired effect, similar to how bas relief is created in sculpture.

Two common forms of relief printing are the woodcut and linoleum cut. After carving, the raised surface of the plate is inked. Eventually, paper is placed over it, and both are run through a press, which transfers the ink from the raised areas to the paper, creating a print.

Relief prints are known for their bold, graphic qualities and strong contrasts, as details can be less refined compared to other printing techniques.