A method that exploits the surface characteristics of any material. It is the most direct form of print making. It is not even necessary to have a press. The image can be built up using a wide variety of objects pasted onto a board in low relief, the surface of which is inked. A print is taken by placing the paper on top and either rubbing the back or by running through a press.

Woodcut

A relief print taken from a block of wood, often pine, where the areas which are to remain uninked are cut away from the image using a sharp knife or gouge. The natural grain of the wood is often enhanced by rubbing stiffly with a wire brush.

Linocut

A print taken from a block of linoleum cut in the same way as a woodcut, using a knife or gouge to remove the uninked areas. The printed surface has less texture than a woodcut because of the homogenous nature of the linoleum.

Wood engraving

The end grain of a block of wood is used and the image is produced by cutting out fine lines from the surface of the block. When inked, and a print taken, the lines appear as white areas describing the image.