"I think I was probably looking at how I could raise printing awareness in Whanganui," he said. "And the river seemed the perfect thing to do.
"I don't think [print] will ever die but it's a process that's not so common these days."
Mr Hill has about 22 people already signed up to do a panel but he needs 20 more.
"The idea is that they need to do a bit of research on the area they have chosen," he said.
"We'll get a cross section of people - we've got young students, established print makers and artists. It's an inclusive process."
Workshops will also be held for those involved in carving a panel.
Mr Hall said the piece would be printed on a press before a public event where it will be pressed with a road roller on November 26.
"That'll be an event itself and we'll have no idea how it will turn out on the day."
He said he hadn't decided on where the print would be displayed but had a few ideas, such as the iSite.
He also wanted to exhibit it at a gallery.
Mr Hall received funding from the Whanganui District Creative Communities Scheme for the project.
"Because I've never done anything like this before it's been a bit of a learning curve."
People can register to do a panel at www.whanganuiriverprint.com.