Mokuhanga: Japanese block printing

Carousel Print Studio is hosting a one-day workshop on Mokuhanga on Saturday 28 November, from 10:30 am to 4 pm. It's held at their space in Exchange Place Studios, on Exchange Street in the city centre (S2 5TR), so it's an easy trip in if you're coming from across Sheffield.

Mokuhanga is a traditional Japanese block printing method, and the session is built around exploring it. The key thing that sets it apart from a lot of the block printing you'll find in the UK is that it's water-based and non-toxic, which makes it a lot easier to work with if you're not set up with a professional studio at home. Instead of oil-based inks and solvents, it uses water-based pigments and rice paste, so you're not dealing with any harsh chemicals while you work. The workshop takes you through the process of carving a block and printing from it, and since it's a one-day session, you'll get to see the whole cycle from start to finish in a single go.

The day is part of Carousel's wider Printmaking Workshops 2026 - 2027 programme, so it's one of several sessions they've got lined up over the next year. If you've never tried block printing before, this is a good way to get a handle on the basics without needing to commit to a long course. It runs from 10:30 am to 4 pm, and you can book your place through Eventbrite.