Reliefpainatuksissa

Reliefpainatuksissa, or relief printing, refers to a group of printmaking techniques in which the image to be printed is raised above the surrounding surface. The printing matrix is carved to remove non-image areas, leaving the image-bearing surfaces raised and able to accept ink. When ink is applied to the raised areas and paper is pressed onto the matrix, the ink is transferred to form the print. Relief printing is distinct from intaglio, where ink sits in recessed grooves, and from lithography, which uses flat, non-relief surfaces.

Common methods in relief printing include woodcut and linocut. Woodcut uses a wood block carved with gouges, producing bold lines and strong contrasts, while linocut uses linoleum for easier carving and different textures. Multi-color relief prints are typically produced by using several blocks or by layering colors on a single block with careful registration to keep colors aligned.

The typical workflow involves preparing the matrix, carving away the areas not intended to print, applying ink with a roller, and transferring the ink to paper by pressing either a printing press or by hand with a baren. For color prints, multiple blocks or color layers are used, with precise registration to align the colors. Editions are limited by the wear of the matrix and the quality of the print run.

Materials and tools commonly used include blocks of wood or linoleum, carving tools, brayers and ink (oil-based or water-based), and suitable paper such as cotton rag or high-quality wood pulp. Prints produced by relief methods have a long history in art and illustration and remain an important technique in contemporary printmaking.