While at the Steamroller Printing event, I recorded the sequence of events to print an image. This is a woodblock process. Inking of the block was done under a tent canopy to keep falling leaves, twigs, blossoms, etc. away from the blocks. Here we see the artist (on the left) with an assistant lifting the inked block.
This is block is laid into a jig (or template) that will keep the block from moving when under pressure.
This particular block was printed onto pink fabric, instead of paper. Several assistants are stretching and taping the fabric to the jig.
The next step is to lay two blankets over the jig. The blankets serve to provide even distribution of pressure to all parts of the block when printing.
There is a shallow ramp that leads up to the jig. The ‘roller driver must approach and climb the ramp very slowly to make sure that the jig does not move as weight is applied to the entire assembly.
Here we see the ‘roller driver watching and aligning the steamroller to ensure that it mounts the assembly.
The ‘roller is kept aligned with the jig to ensure even pressure is applied to transfer the ink from the block to the fabric.
Finally the ‘roller reaches the end of the print path and rolls off the jig.
The blankets are now removed from the fabric.
Finally the printed fabric is pulled carefully off the block. Here we see the artist and assistant holding up the finished print.
A woodblock print, like the one illustrated here, uses a relief printing process.