Characteristics of various European and Japanese printing techniques

Woodblock printing has a rich and diverse history, with origins dating back over 3,000 years to India, and numerous printing techniques that each bring their own unique character. Here, we leap forward in time and focus on two distinct methods: traditional woodblock printing for wallpaper from Europe, and Ukiyo-e, an intricate printing technique from Japan.

In illustration, we place these two techniques side by side. Such an exercise allows us to understand which characteristics we should focus on altering to create new, unexpected patterns, textures, and prints. For example, we might retain most aspects of the European printing method but shift the material to washi paper and adopt a more vibrant color palette. These types of experiments often serve as the foundation for new collections and multiple patterns.

Ukiyo-e is a technique developed in Japan during the Edo period to produce detailed images and patterns through woodblock printing on fine washi paper. The process is meticulously handcrafted and involves several steps:

1. **Carving the Woodblocks:** The artist begins by creating a basic sketch of the design on thin paper, which is then glued to a woodblock. The design is hand-carved, and for each color in the design, a separate woodblock is created. This means that if a print has five different colors, five precisely aligned blocks are required.

2. **Preparation of Colors:** Traditional pigments are mixed with rice paste and other natural binders to achieve the specific shades needed for the print.

3. **Printing:** Each woodblock is inked with its designated color, and a thin, absorbent washi paper is placed on top. The paper is then rubbed with a baren (a round, flat printing press) to transfer the image from the block. This process is carefully repeated for each color, requiring precise alignment to ensure all color layers match perfectly.

In the image, we see a close-up of a final print. Notice the color palette and how the hues are absorbed by the fine paper.

Woodblock printing in Europe was used to produce decorative wallpaper patterns on paper. The method combined craftsmanship with an efficient production process, enabling the creation of large volumes of patterned wallpaper. European woodblock printing began in the 17th century, inspired by Asian techniques, and later evolved into larger-scale productions.

Here is a brief overview of the process:

1. **Carving the Woodblocks:** For each wallpaper pattern, one or more woodblocks were hand-carved. The blocks contained repeating patterns, such as flowers, medallions, or geometric shapes. If multi-color printing was desired, a separate block was carved for each color to be applied, though fewer blocks were typically used compared to Ukiyo-e. This resulted in broader lines and simpler motifs.

2. **Preparation of Colors:** Mineral-based or plant-based pigments were often mixed with oils or other binders to create the muted, earthy tones that were popular in European wallpaper design. The colors needed to be durable and resistant to light and wear.

3. **Printing:** The blocks were inked and pressed against the paper, either by hand or with the help of a printing press. If multiple blocks were used, each color was applied successively by placing the paper over each inked block and pressing with even pressure. Precision was essential to ensure that the pattern aligned correctly across the entire wallpaper strip.

By using this method, it was possible to produce wallpapers with consistent quality and repeating patterns, allowing for the efficient decoration of large wall surfaces in a beautiful and effective way.

With digital technology, we can recreate much of the intricacy found in Japanese Ukiyo-e without the need to carve six to ten woodblocks and print them on washi paper. Additionally, we can simulate Ukiyo-e on unexpected materials, like linen or other textures where this technique has never been applied before. This allows us to explore different dimensions and experiment freely. Sometimes, we seek a clear historical grounding in the technique itself, while at the same time boldly experimenting with color and texture.

At Linlava, our design process—our own "woodblocks," so to speak—focuses on creating subtle variation within the motifs. We aim for diversity that goes beyond the small irregularities and color variations inherent in traditional printing. In a way, you could say we create a new woodblock for each strip of wallpaper: motifs that are closely related, yet distinctly unique.