Chinese woodblock prints have more than a thousand years of history; however, all of the prints produced before the 1930s were reproductions of famous paintings. It was not until 1931, when Lu Xun (1881–1936) promoted a different style of woodblock printing, that a world of creative woodblock pictures emerged. Seventy years have passed since then and the new style of prints has not only significant technical difference from the ancient reproductions of paintings, but also has essential differences in terms of function and realistic meaning.

There are three steps in creating a woodblock print: drawing, carving, and printing. The involvement of folk artists brought characteristics of folk art into many woodblock prints. The first prints appeared in the Tang dynasty (618–907) and were of Buddhist images. Buddhism was quite influential during the Tang dynasty and enjoyed government sponsorship. Two emperors, Taizong (r. 626–649) and Xianzong (r. 805–820), and one empress, Wu Zetian (r. 690–705), all enthusiastically promoted Buddhism. The religion spread country-wide with the aide of woodblock prints; they circulated among the people and accelerated the development of Buddhism in Chinese society. During the four hundred years between 960 and 1368, there were two major dynasties, the Song and the Yuan, but there were also smaller dynasties such as the Liao, Jin, and Xi Xia (Western Xia). Each of these dynasties saw a flourishing of religious-themed woodblock prints. They excelled in quantity, and were commonly found amidst other genres of prints. Their artistry even surpassed the decorative woodblock prints made for novels and the libretti of late Ming opera. Since their birth, woodblock prints of Buddhist images have been influenced by the art, in particular the frescoes, at Dunhuang. It is fair to say that woodblock prints of Buddhist images inherited their artistic traditions and creative experience from Buddhist frescoes. In fact, many of them were even made by artists who drew Buddhist frescos: Compared to drawing, the techniques used to carve the woodblock are better developed and the style is stronger. At the same time, as religious imagery flourished, woodblock images of landscape began appearing in Buddhist sutras. Other themes would appear in time, such as science and the arts. There were a number of centers of artistic woodblock printing: Bianjing (Northern Song capital; modern Kaifeng, Henan province), Suzhou (of Southern Song), Jian’an (of Fujian province), Meishan and Chengdu (both in Sichuan). A printed color portrait of Shakyamuni Buddha  from the Liao period (916–1125)  is the oldest printed color picture discovered in China; naturally, it plays an important role in the art history of the world. Practicalities sometimes dictate other choices of material. For example, copperplate printing emerged in the Song dynasty (960–1279), which was mainly used to print paper money and advertisements. In the Yuan dynasty (1271–1368), opera became popular, and it influenced the development of opera in the Ming dynasty (1368–1644). In the late Ming, woodblock prints appeared with opera-related themes. The most famous ones are Mudan ting (Peony pavilion), Xixiang ji (The story of the western wing), and Pipa ji (The story of the lute). Collections of libretti were also quite popular at that time. The block-printed Yuan dynasty pinghua (plainly told stories) is the predecessor of Chinese serial woodblock pictures. The Ming and Qing dynasties were the peak period of Chinese woodblock prints. Many literati, book publishers, and artists formed different schools and produced great works together. Not only did religious pictures reach their zenith in the Ming dynasty, but the woodblock prints for entertainment also bloomed.

Chinese painting emphasizes brushwork and line drawing. Grasping the inner qualities of the appearances is crucial. Chinese painting focuses on the composition and layout; it also carefully lays out the relationships between the people and the landscape in the composition. Since woodblock prints started as reproduced paintings, this art form also values the vivid depiction of people, and the nuances of the background. Many famous artists were involved in drafting the works and many great craftsmen carved the woodblocks; it should come as no surprise that the printed pictures have unique artistic qualities. Furthermore, the quality of the woodblock itself is another important factor. Most Chinese woodblocks are made from pear trees or jujube trees because they have dense textures and are of moderate hardness; the qualities help to produce carved lines that are durable and keep their crisp design for a long time. These two kinds of wood also absorb an appropriate amount of water which ensures the printing quality. Ink used for woodblock printing is based on lampblack; it is a good ink as the color seldom runs.

Woodblock prints can be appreciated as independent artworks as well as of text decorations and illustrations. They not only transmit artistic imaginings, but also convey historical, cultural, and scientific knowledge. They have contributed significantly to the circulation of knowledge.