Relief printing: techniques, types, examples and supplies
What is relief printing in art?
Relief printing is one of the oldest and most accessible forms of printmaking relief. In simple terms, a relief print is created by carving away parts of a block so that the remaining raised areas receive ink and transfer an image onto paper or fabric. For many students, hobby artists and teachers, relief printing is the perfect way to explore bold shapes, strong contrast and expressive mark-making without needing complex equipment.
If you have ever wondered what is relief printing in art, a clear relief printing definition is this: it is a printmaking technique where ink is rolled onto the raised surfaces of a block or plate, and then pressed onto a surface to produce a mirror image. The carved-away areas do not print, which makes relief block printing feel a bit like working with a stamp that you design and carve yourself.
From traditional woodcut relief printing to contemporary linocut relief printing and synthetic blocks, relief printing has a rich relief printing history that stretches from early book illustration to today’s posters, zines and fine art editions. It is an ideal technique for classrooms, home studios and community print shops because it is flexible, affordable and endlessly experimental. If you want to dive deeper into tools and materials, you can browse our Printmaking collection for a wide range of blocks, inks and accessories.
Types of relief printing
There are several main types of relief printing, each with its own feel, tools and learning curve. When people ask “which of the following is a type of relief printing”, woodcut, linocut and other relief block printing methods are usually at the top of the list. Below are the most common approaches you will encounter.
Woodcut relief printing
Woodcut relief printing is one of the oldest printmaking techniques in the world. In relief printing woodcut methods, artists carve into planks or end-grain blocks of wood using gouges, knives and chisels. The remaining raised surfaces are inked, then printed by hand or with a press. If you are ready to experiment, you will find suitable papers in our Printmaking Paper collection as well as general drawing and mixed media pads in Paper and Pads.
Wood has a natural grain, so woodcut relief printing often shows expressive lines, accidental textures and a slightly rustic character. This makes it a favourite for bold imagery, graphic posters and traditional illustration. As you explore woodcut, you will discover how the species of wood and the direction of the grain affect the final print.
Linocut relief printing
Linocut relief printing, sometimes written as relief lino printing, uses soft linoleum blocks rather than wood. Lino has no grain, which makes it smoother to carve and ideal for beginners and classroom projects. With linocut, you can easily cut clean curves, delicate lines and crisp lettering. Explore lino blocks, cutters and starter kits in our dedicated Lino & Block Printing collection.
Because linoleum is relatively inexpensive and easy to carve, relief lino printing is a popular choice for students, hobby printmakers and teachers introducing relief printing examples in art classes. It is also a great way to test designs before committing to more labour-intensive methods.
Other relief block printing methods
Beyond woodcut and linocut, there are many other relief block printing approaches:
- Soft-cut synthetic blocks that are very easy to carve and perfect for younger students.
- Rubber and eraser blocks used for custom stamps and small-scale relief print projects.
- Found materials, such as textured cardboard or collaged foam sheets, that can be built up into experimental relief plates.
All of these methods follow the same basic principle as traditional printmaking relief: carve or build a surface so that the raised areas receive ink and transfer the image to paper or fabric. To explore different block types and carving tools in one place, start with our Lino & Block Printing collection or the broader Printmaking collection.
Relief printing process and techniques
Although there are many styles of relief printing techniques, the core relief printing process is consistent. Once you understand the steps, you can adapt them to woodcut, linocut or any other relief print approach that suits your style.
Step-by-step relief printing process
- Plan your design. Sketch your idea on paper first. Remember that the final relief print will be a mirror image, so reverse any text or directional elements. A simple sketchbook from our Paper and Pads collection is perfect for planning.
- Transfer the image. Draw directly onto the block or transfer your design using tracing paper, graphite transfer or a printed template.
- Carve the block. Use gouges and knives to cut away the areas you want to remain white or unprinted. The raised surfaces will carry the ink. You can find a range of carving tools and beginner-friendly kits in Lino & Block Printing.
- Ink the block. Roll a thin, even layer of relief printing ink onto a flat surface, then load a brayer and roll ink over the raised areas of the block. For dedicated block printing formulas and colours, explore our Impressions Block Printing Ink collection or the wider Printing Ink collection.
- Print the image. Lay your paper or fabric on top of the inked block and apply pressure by hand, with a baren or spoon, or by using a relief printing press or small relief printing machine. For presses and accessories, visit our Printmaking collection.
- Lift and evaluate. Peel back the paper to reveal the print. Make notes, adjust your carving or inking and print again until you are happy with the results.
Tools and materials for printmaking relief
To get started with printmaking relief, you only need a few core tools and materials:
- Blocks: Wood blocks, lino blocks, or soft-cut relief blocks in various sizes, many of which you will find grouped together in our Lino & Block Printing collection.
- Cutting tools: V-gouges, U-gouges, knives and safety cutters suitable for both adults and supervised students.
- Relief printing ink: Water-based or oil-based inks formulated specifically for relief printing, available in a wide range of colours in Impressions Block Printing Ink and other Printing Ink ranges.
- Brayers and rollers: Used to apply an even layer of ink to your block, with several options available inside our Printmaking collection.
- Paper or fabric: Smooth, absorbent papers designed for printmaking in Printmaking Paper, or sketchbooks and pads suitable for experimentation in Paper and Pads.
- Press or printing aid: A dedicated relief printing press, a compact relief printing machine, or simple hand tools like barens and spoons.
How relief printing compares to intaglio and screen printing
Many artists like to compare and contrast relief printing and intaglio, as well as screen printing, to understand where each technique shines:
- Relief printing: Ink sits on the raised surfaces of the block. It is relatively simple, affordable and clean, which makes it ideal for beginners, schools and home studios.
- Intaglio printing: The image is etched or engraved below the surface of a metal plate. Ink is forced into the recessed lines and wiped from the surface, then printed under high pressure. Intaglio can produce very fine detail and tonal range, but requires more specialised equipment.
- Screen printing: Ink is pushed through a stencil on a mesh screen. It is excellent for flat, graphic areas of colour and for printing on textiles, posters and signs.
When you compare and contrast relief printing and intaglio, relief tends to be more approachable and tactile, while intaglio is considered more technical and equipment heavy. Screen printing sits somewhere in between, especially for artists interested in graphic design, textiles and poster work.
Relief printing FAQs
What is relief printing in art?
Relief printing in art is a printmaking process where you carve away parts of a block or plate so the remaining raised surfaces receive ink and transfer an image to paper or fabric. The carved areas do not print, so the image appears as the inked raised areas against the unprinted background. If you want to try it yourself, start by pairing a simple lino block from our Lino & Block Printing collection with a basic black ink from Impressions Block Printing Ink.
Which of the following is a type of relief printing?
Common types of relief printing include woodcut, linocut and other relief block printing methods that use synthetic or rubber blocks. All of these involve carving away areas you want to remain white while the raised surfaces are inked and printed. You can explore tools and materials for each in our Printmaking collection.
What is the difference between relief printing and intaglio?
In relief printing, ink sits on the raised surfaces of a block and is transferred to paper with relatively low pressure. In intaglio, lines and textures are cut or etched into a metal plate, ink is pushed into the recessed areas and the surface is wiped clean before printing under high pressure. Intaglio can produce very fine detail and rich tone, while relief is often more direct, graphic and accessible for beginners.
How do I start linocut relief printing at home?
To start linocut relief printing at home, you need a lino block, a basic set of carving tools, relief printing ink, a small roller or brayer and suitable paper. Sketch your design, transfer it to the block, carve away the areas you want to stay white, roll ink onto the raised surfaces and print by hand using firm, even pressure. For an easy starting point, you can build your own kit using blocks and tools from Lino & Block Printing, inks from Impressions Block Printing Ink and paper from Printmaking Paper.
What supplies do I need for relief block printing?
For relief block printing you will need blocks or plates (wood, lino or soft-cut), carving tools, relief printing ink, a roller or brayer, and paper or fabric to print on. Optional but helpful additions include a baren or spoon for hand printing, a small relief printing press or machine for consistent results, and registration guides if you plan to print multiple colours. You will find all of these essentials throughout our Printmaking, Lino & Block Printing and Printmaking Paper collections.
