Woodblock Printing

Before the invention of printing everything had to be written by hand. This took a long time an meant that books and other written materials were very rare and expensive.

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Woodblock Printing

Multiple Choice

How were books made before printing?

• skibidi rizz

• magic

• by hand

• people wished for them and they appeared

Multiple Choice

Why do you think books were expensive before printing?

• They were colorful

• They were gold plated

• They were blessed by monks

• They were rare

Around 220 AD the Chinese began printing pictures on silk and other fabrics. Then around 650 AD they began printing on paper using wooden blocks.

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Printing is invented in China

Reorder

Put these events in the order they happened. (First to Last)

• Books are written ONLY by hand.

• Woodblock printing is invented.

• Chinese began to print images on silk.

• Chinese began to print on paper.

1

2

3

4

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4

Woodblock printing works by carving words or pictures into a large block of wood. Once carved, ink is then spread across the block and then sheets of paper are pressed against it.

The Process

The most difficult part of the process is to remember that images or text have to be carved in reverse so when paper is pressed on it, it creates an image the right way.

Flip it and Reverse it

Multiple Choice

What is the most difficult part of the woodblock printing process?

• • Spreading the ink

• • Pressing the paper

• • Carving in reverse

• • Choosing the wood

Reorder

Put the steps of woodblock printing in the correct order:

• • Carve the block in reverse

• Spread ink on the block

• Press paper onto the block

1

2

3

• 1
• 2
• 3

Woodblock printing was use mostly to print religious books. The most famous book printed during the Tang dynasty was the Diamon Sutra. This huge book included pictures and text and helped to spread Buddism throughout China.

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Spreading of ideas