Progression of a Relief Print
A relief print is made from a linoleum or woodblock which is carved. The ink is rolled on to the high relief areas of the wood or linoleum block using a brayer or roller. Paper is laid over the wet ink and the block is printed by hand or by running it through a printing press.
This water lily image is made from one linoleum and two wood blocks. As each color is printed, the blocks are carved even more until there is very little surface area left. This is called a "reductive relief print."