Chinese engraved block printing is considered one of the most essential inventions in the progress of human civilization. The technique (include) in the representative list of UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2009.
The engraved block printing technique requires the (cooperate) of dozens of craftsmen possessed of printing expert skills and team spirit. The blocks themselves, made from the fine-grained wood of pear or jujube trees, (cut) to a thickness of two centimetres and polished with sandpaper (prepare) them for engraving.
Drafts of the (desire) images are brushed onto extremely thin paper and examined for errors before they are transferred onto blocks. The inked designs provide a guide for the craftsman cuts the picture or design into the wood, producing raised characters that will (ultimate) apply ink to paper. Block engraving may be used to print books in a variety of (convention) styles.
The Guangling ancient book engraving press, established in 1958, is responsible the complete preservation of the entire set of the technique. However, the skill is dying out, and there is urgent need to protect it.
