Woodcut

Woodcut is the oldest technique of engraving made on wood. Artists use tools, and chisel an image into a block of wood, so the relief stands out. Upper parts of the block are inked with a roller, and paper is placed over the inked block and run through a press. Ink is then transferred onto paper and creates the image. It is possible to make a woodcut without a press by placing the inked block against a sheet of paper and applying pressure by hand. The oldest known woodcuts are three Buddhist images from China, dating to the 10th century, but the technique was developed during Byzantine times as well.