A technical dictionary of printmaking, André Béguin.
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Cut
In relief engraving (and particularly in woodcuts and linocuts) the first step is to cut around the envisaged design. The knife is used in such a way as to cut an oblique line slanted outwards. The next step is to remove the piece of wood that is not part of the picture by cutting a second line that intersects the first one at the base. The whole operation should result in a V-shaped indentation [wood, cut outs]. Once the image has been isolated one must proceed in removing those parts of a relief engraving that should be below the inking surface. These areas will appear white after printing whereas the relief parts will print black. Although such cutting away of white printing areas is usually done on wood it may also be done on metal plates using a graver. [wood, instruments].
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