I've been looking at these copper engraved printing blocks for the past month at the auction house and finally bid on them this past weekend. I have no idea on how these work or what type of ink to use, so if you know please shoot me an email. Most of the images are in the style of Japanese wood block prints. They are all mounted on wood with tiny nails holding them down. I've done a Internet search on how use them but I must not know the correct terminology to find a helpful site.Monday, October 19, 2009
Engraved Copper Printing Blocks
I've been looking at these copper engraved printing blocks for the past month at the auction house and finally bid on them this past weekend. I have no idea on how these work or what type of ink to use, so if you know please shoot me an email. Most of the images are in the style of Japanese wood block prints. They are all mounted on wood with tiny nails holding them down. I've done a Internet search on how use them but I must not know the correct terminology to find a helpful site.
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3 comments:
It would help if you knew what the block faces are. The type of ink (plus information you are going to find)depends on what style you have.
Line Blocks are made from copper or zinc and are approximately 6 points thick.
Halftone Blocks are made from zinc or copper and are approximately 6 points thick. The image is broken up into small dots.
Electrotypes have a copper printing surface backed with stereo metal and are approximately 12 points thick.
Stereotypes are made from plastic, rubber or an alloy of lead antimony and tin and are approximately 12 points thick.
Note: Stereotypes and electrotypes can be nickel faced for longer life. To identify each, compare the non-printing areas. The stereos usually are rough in these areas and electros are usually quite smooth.
(we collect Karhu's and are huge fans of wood prints;)
Well Lisa,
You have another intriguing Google search for us here…Have you heard, probably multiple times recently, that googling is good to keep aging brains like mine growing and active? I don’t have much spare time at the moment, but couldn’t resist the challenge…
One site selling this type of block talked about the “letter press method” which is how recent ads describe one use for the new line of Nestabilities thin embossing plates. Maybe Cuttlebug can come to the rescue again…I’ve also seen the old Sizzex machine work with thicker stamps. Just roll on the ink, maybe even printer’s ink, put metal to paper and run through the embossing machine or press down with the Sizzex.
Here’s a URL I found that has a myriad of interesting things including print blocks for cloth. I think this might have some useful info for you. The URL is: http://www.zanzibar-trading.com/store/default.asp?ID=48
One of their pages that has good info is titled: Fabric Print Blocks Stamps Tjaps .
This is another page selling wood blocks and giving a bit of history and how the blocks were used traditionally: http://www.woodprintblocks.com/
Many of these sites give details about the Indian block prints. This one really has some details on how to print on cloth: http://www.saffronmarigold.com/catalog/about_block_printing.php
Good luck and happy printing!!
Carol F.
These are just beautiful. What a score!
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