The Reduction Process
(Relief or block printing)
This method of multicolour printing requires only one linoblock, woodblock or other material suitable for cutting or gouging. (Vinyl, plexi, mdf, etc.) The flat upper surface of this material is the relief surface which carries the ink colour to be printed onto paper or fabric or other flat material. Any gouged or cut out areas will not receive ink and therefore will not print.
1. Usually a design is first drawn or transferred onto the block. With transparent vinyl I can tape my drawing to the back avoiding the frustration of unwanted transfer of marker or pencil lines to the print that happens with the soy based inks I use.
2. Areas to remain white (assuming the paper is white) are then carved from the block.
3. The first (usually the lightest) colour is then mixed and rolled onto the relief surface of the block.
4. The block is placed into a registration template.
5. Paper is registered into a fixed position on top of the block and pressure is applied to transfer the ink from block to paper.
6. The paper is removed and the image is transferred appearing in reverse.
7. This inking and printing is repeated for this first colour for all the prints in the edition.
8. The areas of the design to remain in the first colour are then carved from the block.
9. A second colour is mixed and rolled onto the block and printed over the first.
10. This process is repeated until all the colours are applied, layer on layer.
Every print completed in this way has been individually made by hand, making it a unique work of art. These are not to be confused with so called ‘Limited Edition Prints’ which are photographic reproductions of paintings or other artwork, digitally captured and printed.
Once printing of the edition is complete, further prints cannot be made from the block as the block has been destroyed in the process.
Some editions are marked V.E. (Variable Edition) when colours vary or hand colouring is added after the printing is finished. If a print is very different the artist may choose to call it a Monoprint.
On completion of the edition, each print is signed with edition number and title appearing below the plate line in HB pencil. The printmaker signs the lower right side below the plate line. Sometimes a printmaker adds a chop (a small insignia) which is printed or embossed onto the print paper. If an artist has worked on a print edition with a master printer, the printers mark may also appear on the print, usually on the reverse side. Sometimes there is an individual chop added to indicate the studio name.
