The
paper wood block printing technique was initiated in China, the earliest
wooden block can be dated back to 868 BC. The art then spread to Japan
in 770BC and was strongly influenced by China.
Beautiful and enchanting prints are formed on hand made paper by hand
pressing or hand screening. This method is essentially an adaptation of
the wood block printing used for printing on fabrics and various cloth
material. The prints and patterns can range from floral to abstract,
from geometrical to figures. Prints highlighted with gold and silver are
in vogue.
Woodblock Technique:
The process involves drawing a design on a thin paper and is then
transferred onto the wooden block covered with rice paste, the paper is
pasted on to the front side of the block and then slowly removed so that
the design is imprinted on the wooden block.
The design is then carved onto the wooden block with the help of
metallic knives. Sometimes artisans use a number of wooden block for the
final design. These wooden blocks are finally filled with bright colours
and imprinted onto the hand made paper to create enchanting patterns.
