What is Relief Print making? 

Relief printmaking is a printmaking process where the raised (relief) areas of a surface are inked and printed, while the cut-away areas do not print.

Here’s the simple way to think about it:

• You carve or cut away parts of a surface

• The raised parts are rolled with ink

• Paper is pressed on top

• The ink transfers from the raised areas onto the paper
  
  

Common relief printmaking materials:

• Styrofoam / foam plates

• Lino (linoleum)

• Wood (woodcut)
  
  

Examples of relief printmaking:

• Woodcut prints

• Linocut prints

• Styrofoam prints
  
  

Key idea:
What you don’t cut is what prints.

Year 9 Printmaking CAT: Project Overview

In this project, students will explore printmaking through experimentation and research. 

You will work with styrofoam, gelli plate, and lino printmaking techniques, focusing on how artists use line, shape, form, and texture (Elements of Art).

Students will research the Australian artist Margaret Preston and develop idea sketches before creating prints. Throughout the project, you are expected to experiment, annotate your process, and record your ideas and reflections in your sketchbook.

This project emphasises exploration, creative thinking, and process, with the sketchbook forming an essential part of the assessment.

• Styrofoam Printmaking 

• Gelli Plate Printmaking 

• Lino Printmaking 

• Margaret Preston Research page 

• Your idea sketches, Print experiments and annotations in your sketchbook

Timeline:

• WK 1: Introduction & Styrofoam Printmaking 

• Wk 2: Artist Research (Margaret Preston) 

• WK 3: Gelli Plate Printmaking 

• Wk 4: Design Development & Refinement

• Wk 5-7 Lino Printmaking 

• Wk 7 Reflection and exhibit