shitori しとり

The technique of keeping *ukiyo-e 浮世絵 print paper moist during the printing process. In order to ensure good color adhesion during woodblock printing, the printing paper is always kept dampened; the word shimeri 湿り (moisture) is modified in this usage to shitori. 

One method is to insert a damp sheet of paper between every two or three sheets in the pile of printing paper, and allow the moisture to soak through the whole pile. Another method is to dampen each sheet individually with a wet brush. During printing, the flow of air in the workshop must be regulated so as to maintain a set level of moisture in the paper and prevent it from drying out.