Printing on the hand press requires the block to be inked by hand with a small roller. The paper is then placed directly on the inked block. The sliding press bed is cranked under the platen and a pull of the press arm produces the impression. Multi-colored prints are passed through the press one time for each color.

Ilse lifts a corner of the paper to check the printed impression. She then works the paper by hand to adjust the colors. The artist pulls each woodblock print in this manner, then numbers and signs them.

Figure 1: Inking the block

Figure 2a: Pulling the hand press

Figure 2b: Rubbing the print

Figure 3: Viewing the print