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Woodcut

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Woodcut is the most traditional form of relief prints. It is the earliest printing technique used in Europe.

The motif is carved from a wood plate or block, the artist removing the parts of the block, which are to appear unprinted on the paper. The ink is applied only to the surface of the plate, leaving the indentations free of ink. Paper is placed on top of the plate and pressure is applied by running it through the press or by rubbing the backside of the paper.

Wood is a living material and its visible structure brings a sense of life to the works. This can be more or less visible, depending on the way the plate is prepared and the type of wood used. The process of making woodcut and linocut are very similar.