Woodcut Postcards
![Woodcut Postcards](http://handprinted.co.uk/cdn/shop/articles/DSC00580_crop_11033d3f-7cdb-4215-8b32-329ccae3db57.jpg?v=1617460928&width=1920)
A simple step by step to printing postcards using Japanese Ply and Caligo Safe Wash Relief Inks.
You will need:
- Soft Drawing Pencil – we used a 6B
- Paper
- 110mm x 160mm Japanese Ply
- Blank Postcard
- Powergrip Woodcut tools
- Sandpaper
- Brush
- Inking plate or Inking tray
- Roller
- Caligo Safe Wash Relief Ink
- Bamboo Baren
Draw your design using the pencil onto thin paper (photocopy weight works well)
![](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0188/6660/2048/files/Step_1_500px_befa79a1-6c61-43a5-afe2-9bfc0f35ed85_480x480.jpg?v=1699369229)
Place your image facing down onto the Japanese Ply and rub the back of the image with a pencil. Do not press too hard as you do not want to cause indentations in the Ply.
![](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0188/6660/2048/files/Step_2_500px_7cca86b2-06b8-4225-9215-3bf58fe5d89b_480x480.jpg?v=1699369225)
Carefully lift the paper away and you should be able to see your image faintly printed onto the Ply. This method is great for lettering as it reverses it.
![](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0188/6660/2048/files/Step_3_500px_11bb5511-4e9b-4e65-bb0c-65f813185de1_480x480.jpg?v=1699369225)
Go over the faint image in pencil – again do not press too hard as you do not want your pencil marks to indent the Ply as this will make it difficult to print.
![](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0188/6660/2048/files/Step_4_500px_49cfed7f-be66-4039-9267-bdba5930723e_480x480.jpg?v=1699369226)
Cut away the outside edge of the image using a small U gouge. Remember to always cut away from yourself, keep your hand that is not holding the cutting tool behind the blade at all times. You could also use a hand guard or a bench hook.
![](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0188/6660/2048/files/Step_5_500px_64391be3-3553-43a4-a24a-b8d9b79f8ecb_480x480.jpg?v=1699369226)
Clear the remaining Ply that you do not wish to print using a larger U.
![](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0188/6660/2048/files/Step_6_500px_480x480.jpg?v=1699369225)
Sand down your Ply to remove any excess bits that will spoil your print.
![](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0188/6660/2048/files/Step_7_500px_480x480.jpg?v=1699369226)
Brush away any sawdust using a dry brush – a nail brush is perfect for this.
![](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0188/6660/2048/files/Step_8_500px_480x480.jpg?v=1699369226)
Roll out a thin layer of ink onto a glass slab or an inking tray.
![](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0188/6660/2048/files/Step_8a_500px_480x480.jpg?v=1699369225)
Roll a thin layer of this ink onto your Ply.
![](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0188/6660/2048/files/Step_9_500px_480x480.jpg?v=1699369226)
Place your postcard on top of the inked Ply and holding the card firm use a Bamboo Baren in a circular motion to transfer the ink from the Ply to the postcard.
![](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0188/6660/2048/files/Step_10_500px_480x480.jpg?v=1699369225)
You can hold one corner down firmly to check how your ink transfer is progressing and if you need to concentrate on specific areas.
![](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0188/6660/2048/files/Step_11_500px_480x480.jpg?v=1699369226)
Remove the postcard and leave to dry.
![](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0188/6660/2048/files/Step_12_500px_480x480.jpg?v=1699369226)
The finished card!
![](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0188/6660/2048/files/Step_13_500px_480x480.jpg?v=1699369225)