What is one characteristic of the relief printing technique?

Relief printing is distinguished by the process of carving or cutting away parts of a surface, usually a block made of wood or linoleum, to create a raised image or design. The areas that remain raised are inked and will transfer an impression onto paper or another medium when pressed. This subtractive technique differentiates it from other printing methods that might employ a different approach, such as intaglio or screen printing. The carved-out sections do not receive ink, allowing only the raised portions to produce the final print.

The other options represent aspects that do not align with the core principles of relief printing. For instance, relief printing can be done with various materials, not exclusively metal plates, and does not necessitate a smooth surface for inking, as the focus is on the raised areas. Additionally, relief prints can be produced in monochrome or color, making the requirement of color inaccurate in specifying relief printing techniques.