Block printing, also known as woodblock printing, is a printing technique in which a design is carved into a block of wood, ink is applied to the block, and the block is pressed onto a printing surface to transfer the ink. The block printing technique has been in use for centuries and has a long and rich history.
The origins of block printing are somewhat unclear, but it is thought to have originated in China, where it was used to print textiles and other materials as early as the 7th century AD. Block printing then spread to other parts of Asia and the Middle East, and was later adopted in Europe during the medieval period. In Europe, block printing was primarily used to print books and other written materials, and it played a significant role in the spread of knowledge and the development of printing technology.
Today, block printing is still used in a number of traditional printing techniques, such as the production of textiles, wallpaper, and other decorative items. It is also often used by artists and craftspeople to create prints, cards, and other hand-made items.