Gift prints for Japan visit
Three small prints from a single block set. After printing, each was cut out and folded into a fancy tissue, then enclosed in a gift envelope. When we visited Japan, I presented these as small gifts to everyone who was kind to us — the reactions were usually a bit hilarious — I’m not too sure that nude woodcuts are the ‘usual’ fare, even in Japan! 
"Jessica", "Elizabeth & Rod", "Mia" woodblock prints -- this is what each 11 x 16 inch sheet looked like before the individual prints were cut out. This particular sheet was left uncut, but was signed and numbered 24/24 after the image above was scanned.
The 16 blocks carved for the prints. Each block is 1/4" plywood with a cherry veneer and each is 12 x 16 inches with registration notches (kento) carved into the lower right corner and just left of center on each block. The blocks are very flexible, so I hold them absolutely flat on my printing table using a special vacuum plenum I made for the purpose.
"Elizabeth & Rod" October 4, 2004, 9.3 x 4 inches, woodblock print from 16 cherry plywood blocks, dry pigment in methyl cellulose paste on Iwano Ichibei hosho, 24 sheets printed
"Jessica" October 4, 2004, 9.3 x 4 inches, woodblock print from 16 cherry plywood blocks, dry pigment in methyl cellulose paste on Iwano Ichibei hosho, 24 sheets printed
"Mia" October 4, 2004, 9.3 x 4 inches, woodblock print from 16 cherry plywood blocks, dry pigment in methyl cellulose paste on Iwano Ichibei hosho, 24 sheets printed
Twitter
Hi Mike
Wow! I was surfing prints, blocks etc and came across your web site and work.
You are going about block making and printing in much the same way as I am trying to go. CNC cut blocks.
So this is an initial note to ask whether you have any regrets in going this route for producing blocks. It would be very good for me if you were willing to be at the other end of the phone as it were. (internet)
Please have a peek at my web page if you have time and you will see what I am up to.
Would a 24 x 24 inch CNC router be of use or a little too small. I want to print for now up to the maximum bed size of my press. 48 x 30 inches.
Anyway hope you are up for a few emails here and there, and I love what you are doing with relief printing.
Regards
Chris Doman
Dear Chris,
CNC router with appropriate toolpath software can carve almost anything you can draw — you can produce very narrow cuts (less than about a tenth of an inch wide) more easily and more accurately by hand.
I think it’d be best if your computer controlled router had a bed at least as large as the largest block you intend to carve.
Good luck!
Mike