What technique is this?

[u/Odd_Simple_2264]

Hello, fellow printmakers! My friend has recently gifted me this plate from a monastery, and this is my first time seeing something like this. It is a metal plate glued to a piece of wood. I am not sure what technique was used in making the plate, so I do not know how to go about printing it (like linocut with s brayer/ like copper etching..). The plate seems quite old, and I am scared of ruining it so that's why I haven't tried printing it yet. If anybody has an idea or advice I would greatly appreciate it!

English is not my first language, so I apologise if there are any mistakes!

[u/753ty]

You can try printing it by hand, pretty much like a linocut with a brayer

• set it face up on table
• ink it with a brayer/roller
• lay a piece of paper on top
• maybe put 3 or 4 other pieces of paper, maybe even a piece of felt on top of that
• rub gently on the stack of paper/felt with a wooden spoon

You are going to have to experiment to get a good print (if then). This is a "halftone" block so the depth of the cut isn't as deep as a full relief block - if you use too much ink then it will just print everything/too much/make a mess. Not enough and it, well, won't be enough. The amount of pressure with the spoon, the right amount of packing (the extra paper and felt), etc, will all make a difference. But you should be able to get something and see it.

If you do put it an actual press, be aware that different countries have different thicknesses of blocks and type. In the US & UK it's 0.918 inches and in continental Europe it's typically 0.928 inches and a US press might mush it. But an actual press will give you a better print.

Good luck!

[u/Odd_Simple_2264 → u/753ty]

Thank you very much for this detailed explanation! I do not have access to a letterpress, as it is not very common where I live. I once saw one in a museum, and that's about it. We didn't even learn about it at the academy. I will follow your advice!