Blocktryck

Blocktryck, or woodblock printing, is a relief printing technique where a design is carved into a solid block, typically wood. The raised surfaces are inked and pressed onto paper, fabric, or another substrate to transfer the image. Because a single block can yield many copies, blocktryck has long been used for books, illustrations, textiles, and decorative patterns. For color work, either multiple blocks are used in sequence or blocks are hand-colored.

The method originated in China, with evidence from the Tang dynasty and earlier. It spread to Korea and Japan, where it became central to book production, religious imagery, and artistic printmaking, including ukiyo-e. In Europe, woodcut printing appeared in the 14th century and was widely used for book illustrations, playing cards, and artistic images. The technique evolved to allow more complex color work through registered blocks and later through other color-printing methods.

Practically, a design is prepared and transferred to a carving block, with areas to remain unprinted carved away. Ink is applied to the raised areas, and the block is pressed onto paper or fabric. For textiles, blocks print repeating patterns on cloth. For paper, multi-block color printing requires precise alignment, known as registration, to ensure colors line up correctly.

Today, blocktryck survives as a craft and art form in many regions. It is used in traditional book illustration, textile design, and contemporary fine art. Modern practitioners also employ linoleum blocks (linocut), which are often used as a more economical alternative, though they differ from traditional wooden blocks.