In this example of a block print—Red Tulips, 16" x 11.5", by Annie Lee Ross—you can clearly see in the large detail shots below that the black is printed after—on top of—the green and brown areas. In the large cream-colored background, the small black marks are all that remains of the original flat surface of the plate. The lighter area has been cut away so it is lower and so remained untouched by the roller that applied the ink. This is also visible in the lower close-up, in the black lines over the brown. The white line around the inside edge of the pot was cut away and thus never inked—it is the absence of printing.
Notice also the distinctive gouged-out lines made in cutting away the design: blockprinting and its tools have a strong relation to woodworking and whittling. This is probably a lino-cut, or linoleum cut. If this was a woodcut, we would probably see some texture of the wood grain in the areas of flat color.

Above: Enlargement of about 2" x 2" of the print.

 

Above: Enlargement of about 2" x 1.5" of the print.