The direct translation of 'Banhua' is 'printed picture', it is a general term for original prints or printmaking as an art form. 'Banhua' is composed of two characters: 'ban' (版) meaning 'block' and 'hua' (画) meaning 'picture'. Banhua's meaning is not limited to prints in Chinese style.[3]
As printing first appeared in 3rd-century China, artists started to use woodblock printing or other methods to spread their works. Buddhist classics, novel illustrations, and the banknote were among the first public works to be printed in China.
