Printmaking

In the early 1300’s pictorial designs were being printed on textiles in Europe. Card playing became popular and even though it was outlawed many people still played.  Since people were still playing cards, cards were still being designed which allowed block printing to still develop.  

Playing cards were the first printed pieces to be available to people that couldn’t necessarily read.  Laymen could now play card games that were originally only played by nobles.  Since almost everyone had access to cards that had all types of symbols on them, these symbols created a new way for people to communicate. 

Since these illustrations were typically quite simple they were used for religious instruction of illiterates.   

Woodblock print of Saint Christopher, 1423. The unknown illustrator depicted the legendary saint, a giant who carried travelers safely across a river, bearing the infant Christ. The inscription at the bottom reads, "In what so ever day thou seest the likeness of St. Christopher/in that same day thou wilt at least from death no evil blow incur. -Megg's History of Graphic Design 5th edition