Wood Engraving: Deep Dive into Best Printing Practices

Saturday, October 10, 2026 – Sunday, October 11, 2026 · 10:30 AM EDT

Pyramid Atlantic Art Center, 4318 Gallatin St, Hyattsville, MD, 20781, United States · Hyattsville, MD

About this event

Every block presents a unique set of challenges—and no two blocks ever print alike. In this 2-day hands-on class students will take a deep dive into the art of relief printing, learning how to print their wood engraving blocks to achieve the richest blacks and finest lines. We’ll discuss paper, ink modifiers, registration, masks, damp packs, make-ready, and editioning best practices. Students should bring their own print-ready block and paper to print on and expect to print a small edition in class. We will work with the different presses available in the studio to learn various setups and tips to get the best possible prints from each block. With over two decades of relief printing experience to share, this hands-on class will ultimately help you save time, frustration (and paper!), and help you find joy in the process of printing. You do not need to have taken the Beginning Wood Engraving class before signing up for this one, but you do need to come to this class with a finished block ready to print. Level: Beginner/Intermediate—Some experience with wood engraving is recommended, but not required. You do however need to have an engraved block ready to print. Registration closes October 2, 2026. Material fees are included with your registration to cover the supplies provided in class. Students may/will need to gather/purchase additional materials for class (see the materials list below). This list will also be provided with the registration confirmation email. Sample image by Mirka Hokkanen Materials: Registration includes a $5 materials fee to cover consumable materials provided in class, including ink and newsprint. Students will need to supply additional materials of their own, including: A wood engraving block ready to print Paper to print an edition on, and for proofing—recommended you have at least 3 full sheets, 26×40.” Mohawk Superfine and Legion Stonehenge work well for engravings. (optional) Personal apron (we’ll have extras in-studio) and/or wear clothes that can get inky (optional) Notebook or sketchbook to take notes in Note: If you’d like to engrave a new block ahead of class, 3”x4” maple engraving blocks are available for purchase through Pyramid. Contact us for more information. Meet Your Instructor: Mirka Hokkanen is a Finnish-American freelance illustrator, author, and printmaker. She moved to the U.S. in 1998 to attend Rockford College in Illinois (BFA 2002). She then received both Master of Arts (2004) and Master of Fine Arts (2006) degrees in printmaking from University of Dallas, TX. As a military spouse and almost a dozen moves into her career, Mirka has had the opportunity to be an active part in many art communities, teaching, speaking, and organizing events. Her nature themed art has won awards and been shown in galleries around the world. She currently sits on the board of the Wood Engravers Network and is the Illustrator Coordinator for the Society of Children’s Books Writers and Illustrators, Maryland chapter. Learn more about her work at www.mirkah.com. What Participants are Saying: “The teacher did an excellent job breaking down the class into easy to follow steps. She was so encouraging. There was a wealth of resources and samples to look at and she was able to answer so many questions. It was an amazing class!” —Participant, Beginning Wood Engraving workshop

Event details

Date and time

Saturday, October 10, 2026 – Sunday, October 11, 2026 · 10:30 AM EDT

Venue

Pyramid Atlantic Art Center, 4318 Gallatin St, Hyattsville, MD, 20781, United States · Hyattsville, MD

Category

Music

Cost

Cost not stated

Age guidance

Age guidance not specified

Format

In person

Last verified

September 22, 2026

Accessibility

Wheelchair: Not stated

Assistive Listening: Not stated

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