Commonly-Used Techniques of Printing in the Collection

Woodblock printing 雕版印刷 (Watch video by UNESCO about the technique), one of the four great inventions of ancient China, is believed by scholars to first appear around 600 AD during the Tang dynasty. The creation and use of this printing technique has tremendously contributed to the widespread publishing and dissemination of knowledge, information and wisdom. The earliest extant example of woodblock printed books is a Tang edition of the Diamond Sūtra 金剛經 made in 868. Lithography 石印 (Watch video by Minneapolis Institute of Art about the process) was invented by German actor and playwright Alois Senefelder (1771-1834) in 1796 and first introduced to China by the British missionary Robert Morrison (1782-1834). Adoption of this new printing technology allowed for faster and cheaper publishing and thus had a rapid development during the late Qing and Republican periods. 

Special Techniques of Printing in the Collection