A relief print is an image created by a printmaking process, such as woodcut, where the areas of the matrix (plate or block) that are to show printed black (typically) are on the original surface; the parts of the matrix that are to be blank (white) having been cut themselves, or otherwise removed. Printing the image is therefore a relatively simple matter of inking the face of the matrix and bringing it in firm contact with the paper; a printing-press may not be needed as the back of the paper can be rubbed or pressed by hand with a simple tool. Printmaking is the process of making artworks by printing, normally on paper. ... Four horsemen of the Apocalypse by Albrecht Dürer. ...

This contrasts with an intaglio print, such as an engraving or etching, where the areas to print black are below the original surface of the matrix, and the original surface of the matrix will print blank. To print these the whole matrix is inked, and the ink then wiped away from the surface, so that it remains only in the lines (classically) that the artist has made below the surface of the matrix. Much greater pressure is then needed to force the paper into the channels containing the ink, and a high-pressure press will normally be required. Intaglio (pronounced in-TAL-yo, IPA: ) is a printmaking technique in which the image is incised into a surface. ... Engraving is the practice of incising a design onto a hard, flat surface, by cutting grooves into it. ... Etching is an intaglio method of printmaking in which the image is incised into the surface of a metal plate using an acid. ...

The relief family of techniques includes woodcut, wood engraving, linocut, and some types of collography. Traditional text printing with movable type is also a relief technique, which meant that woodcuts were much easier to use as book illustrations, as they could be printed together with the text, whilst intaglio prints such as engravings had to be printed separately. Four horsemen of the Apocalypse by Albrecht Dürer. ... Wood engraving is, simply, the craft, or technique, of engraving, using the medium of wood. ... Colour Linocut Linocut Linocut is a variant of woodcut, in which a sheet of linoleum (sometimes mounted on a wooden block) is used for the relief surface. ... This article is not about calligraphy. ... Movable type. ...

The other traditional families of techniques are: printing and not printing yourself

• intaglio, including engraving, etching, drypoint and wood engraving,
• planographic, including techniques such as lithography; here all the original surface of the matrix remains, but the image is created by treating some areas of the surface,

- but modern developments have created other types. Intaglio (pronounced in-TAL-yo, IPA: ) is a printmaking technique in which the image is incised into a surface. ... Engraving is the practice of incising a design onto a hard, flat surface, by cutting grooves into it. ... Etching is an intaglio method of printmaking in which the image is incised into the surface of a metal plate using an acid. ... Drypoint is a printmaking technique of the intaglio family, in which an image is incised into a plate (typically copper, zinc, or plexiglas) by scratching the surface with a hard, sharp metal point. ... Wood engraving is, simply, the craft, or technique, of engraving, using the medium of wood. ... Planographic printing means printing from a flat surface, as opposed to a raised surface (as with relief printing) or incised surface (as with intaglio printing). ... Negative lithography stone and positive print of a map of Munich. ...

Normally relief and intaglio techniques can only be mixed with others of the same family in the same work.

External links

• Relief Print Example Article on commercial site demonstrating creation of simple relief print in five steps.