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

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This is the second part of the Kimono set of woodblock prints, free for all to enjoy. However, the first part is available for purchase if you're interested in owning it. With this innovative 3D printed woodblock Ukiyo-e technique, you can create an endless number of pictures at your leisure. Printing is a calming and enjoyable way to spend your day, requiring only basic art supplies and access to someone with a 3D printer. These 3D files were crafted by hand, tracing lines and colour separating manually rather than relying on automated software. This approach yields warmer reproductions of the original artwork, much like listening to vinyl records instead of digital music. The result is a beautiful, authentic version of famous Japanese works that you can now print using acrylic, watercolour, or even inks on paper or cloth. The Kimono design is a portrait print for paper measuring 500mm x 650mm, consisting of 5 plates A to E made up of 4 x 3D printed panels each. To create the complete plate, you'll need to tape the 4 panels together using gaffer tape on the backside - see the picture for reference. The artwork features 10 colours, with two colours per plate, which can be achieved by circling the features on the 'woodblocks' with a marker pen to remind you to print them in different colours. Instructions on how to use acrylic paint with your prints are available in the video and downloadable PDF called "The Kit." To ensure high-quality prints, I recommend using 3D Print settings that include a 0.6mm nozzle and a 0.3mm layer for speed. Alternatively, you can use a regular 0.4mm nozzle with a 0.2mm layer for even better detail but expect it to take longer. The prints are 300mm x 300mm in size, so if your 3D printer is smaller, simply scale down the plates in the X and Y directions only, maintaining the same thickness to ensure proper printing technique. It's essential to use printer settings that create 100% solids rather than honeycomb inside for better results. Note: Avoid setting the infill setting to 100% as it may cause long stretches of print head zigzagging while trying to achieve a fine honeycomb structure, resulting in vibrations and noise. Instead, specify a higher number of top/bottom infill layers than the total number of layers to force the printer into a more efficient back-and-forth movement pattern. After printing each plate, use a sanding block and 120 grit sandpaper to make the top surface flat so it holds paint evenly. This process is quick if you're using PLA plastic. The solid strip at the top doesn't need sanding as it's meant for attaching your paper with masking tape when you're ready to print onto paper. For more information, visit https://bramtan.weebly.com/developing-3d-printed-ukiyo-e.html. More designs will be released soon, so stay tuned!