凸版印刷（Letterpress）凸版从前以活版为主，其他和活版并版的图片版，不管是锌质还是胶质，均同属凸版（包括古代以整块木板去雕刻的木刻版）。

最早由石括、括章所衍生而来，并应用于印文陶、斑纹布等物品之上。

汉代普遍使用印章，各级官衙往返公文需盖以关防以玆识别，故对印刷术的兴起有一定的作用。汉光和六年，刻了六经石碑，立于太学门外，观视及摹写者难以数计，有好事者创石括印法。

Letterpress printing is a technique of relief printing using a printing press, a process by which many copies are produced by repeated direct impression of an inked, raised surface against sheets or a continuous roll of paper. A worker composes and locks movable type into the "bed" or "chase" of a press, inks it, and presses paper against it to transfer the ink from the type which creates an impression on the paper.