Ukiyo-e Woodblock Printing - The Kimono (10 colours) Part 1/2

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With this 3D printed woodblock Ukiyo-e technique, you can create as many unique pictures as you desire. Printing is a calming and enjoyable way to spend the day, allowing you to express your creativity freely. All you need is access to a 3D printer and some basic art supplies. The 3D files were carefully crafted by hand-tracing lines and colour separating, rather than relying on automatic software, resulting in warmer reproductions of the original artwork that evoke the richness of traditional media like vinyl records. The outcome is a beautiful and authentic version of famous Japanese works that you can now print with acrylic, watercolour, or even ink on paper or fabric. The Kimono design is a stunning portrait print for a 500mm x 650mm paper sheet, consisting of 5 plates A to E made up of 4 x 3D printed panels each. To assemble the artwork, simply tape the 4 panels together using gaffer tape at the backside before sanding - as shown in the accompanying image. Although only having 5 plates, the artwork boasts an impressive 10 colours, with two colours per plate. To achieve this, circle the features on the 'woodblocks' with a marker-pen to remind you to print these features in different colours. To get the most out of your prints, refer to the instructions in the video and PDF for guidance on using acrylic paint. For optimal results, use 3D Print settings such as a 0.6mm nozzle and a 0.3mm layer for speed, or upgrade to a regular 0.4mm nozzle with a 0.2mm layer for even better detail. For smaller 3D printers, simply scale the plates down in the X and Y directions only, maintaining the same thickness is crucial for the printing technique to work properly. Additionally, use printer settings that create 100% solids rather than honeycomb inside, resulting in a more polished finish. A note on optimal print settings: avoid setting it to 100% infill to achieve a solid print; instead, specify a higher number of top/bottom infill layers to force the printer into an efficient back and forth movement pattern for every layer, resulting in a better version of 100% infill. After printing each plate, use a sanding block and 120 grit sandpaper to make the top surface really flat so it holds paint evenly. This process is quick if you've used PLA plastic, and the solid strip of plastic at the top does not need sanding as it serves as a mounting point for your paper using masking tape. More information can be found at https://bramtan.weebly.com/developing-3d-printed-ukiyo-e.html. Stay tuned for more designs to come soon, and enjoy exploring this unique 3D printed woodblock Ukiyo-e technique!