BlockPrinting

 Block printing is a traditional form of art that's been practiced for hundreds of years. Block printing involves using panels of wooden blocks that have been hand-carved in reverse so that when the print is created by pressing a design onto paper, it creates a negative image. The beauty of this process is that each print is unique, like a fingerprint.

 Block printing has remained unchanged for centuries, ink is applied to the carved surface of the block, and paper is run over it. Block printing was a common method used to spread information and was popularized by merchants, monks, and missionaries who introduced Buddhism and Christianity to China. The most important surviving examples of block printing are single sheets with illustrations and text. These include mathematical charts, vocabulary guides, etiquette instructions and funeral and wedding guides.

Moveable Type

 The moveable type was developed around 970. This was done with individual letters carved into clay blocks, which were baked until they were hard. It was much easier to produce more copies using moveable type. This iron block is a vital part of the printing process. The blocks were arranged onto an iron frame pressed against an iron plate. A seal was then made for each color block, creating a high-quality and consistent product.

 Moveable type changed the course of history by allowing people to reuse the letters in different texts by moulding them rather than carving and printing each letter as needed. This meant that each book would only have to be written once, making books more affordable for many people.