Typography in western culture happens simultaneously on two visual levels. The macro level of overall composition guides our eyes around a format, and the micro level of minute details provides the basis for how we perceive the big picture. (Bigger font under header)
The Roman alphabet used in Western Typography can be understood as a system of line drawings. The drawing of different letters is archetypal; each form has been steadily codified and passed along over the generations. The archetypal form of a particular letter is what distinguishes it from other letters and makes it recognisable. Letterforms are iconic, so integrated into Western conciousness that their visual form holds sway over the perception of other images- many objects remind us of letters. Its visual qualities drive modern typography at every level.
The Anatomy of Letterforms
Being able to recognise tiny differences between letterforms helps designers understand what makes letters act a certain way. Sharper serifs lend different texture to lines of text than do slab serifs. At larger sizes, the smallest details in a letter are exaggerated.
Woodblock
Woodblock printing is a technique for printing text, images or patterns used widely throughout East Asia and originating in China in antiquity as a method of printing on textiles and later paper. As a method of printing on cloth, the earliest surviving examples from China date to before 220, and woodblock printing remained the most common East Asian method of printing books and other texts, as well as images, until the 19th century. Ukiyo-e is the best known type of Japanese woodblock art print. Most European uses of the technique for printing images on paper are covered by the art term woodcut, except for the block-books produced mainly in the 15th century.
The oldest existing print done with wood-blocks is the Mugujeonggwang great Dharani sutra that is dated between AD 704 and 751. It was found at Bulguksa, South Korea in 1966.[9] Its Buddhist text was printed on a 8 cm × 630 cm (3.1 in × 248.0 in) mulberry paper scroll in the early Korean Kingdom of Unified Silla.
How is woodblock type traditionally made?
Wood engravings are a form of relief printing. The starting point would be a hard block of wood that would create a solid shape when printed. The letterforms are created by wood been cut away from an outline leaving a final image. The other common relief printmaking methods are the woodcut and linoprint methods.
All engravings start with a drawing. The image you cut into the block needs to be the reverse output of the final print. This means when the print is pressed the letterform appears the right way round. A good tip would be too create mockups on acetate so the actual print outcome can be viewed on the other side of the acetate.
The block engraving. The wood that you intent to use needs to be cut across the end grains of the block. The depth of the block is normally the height of the letterform. The traditional wood to use for wood engraving is boxwood, alternatives could be lemonwood. The wood needs to be capable of coping with fine detail and be robust enough to withstand many prints.
There are 2 methods of drawing onto the block. You can draw onto the natural wood block, or you can cover the block in watercolor wash and draw on in pencil. Its a good idea to use tracing paper before hand to plan on were to place the visual elements onto the block.
Using typical woodcarving tools like; spitsticker for curved lines. A scorper for straight lines and large surface areas. A tint tool for parallel lines.A lozenge graver for cutting lines of varying widths. The multiple tool cuts several parallel lines at once.
After lots of patience the block glyph is finished with sandpaper for curved elements of the letterform.
The block is ready for printing now, good quality printing paper is recommended. Strong thin paper like a Japanese paper is the traditional medium.
In terms of a printing press it can be done by hand for a more worn out rustic effect. Or a proof press or a typical letterpress were moveable type can be placed in the pressing tray.
Woodblock type to me always has a very similar aesthetic its big and bold and i think this comes from the production method of the type.
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