Mono printing

With this method a unique print is produced from a surface. Mono print is different to the other printing processes in that to prepare the print all that is needed is simply to roll a firm, flat surface such as glass, stone or metal with a thin layer of printing ink. Then apply a little pressure and a print it produced. Monoprints give interesting, experimental and unusual results, and need only basic tools and equipment to produce. The following materials are all used with this technique: water-based and oil-based ink, pencils, paintbrushes, masking tape, lots of different paper and card, rags, a roller, string, hand burnishers, and smooth flat surface for printing such as glass, stone or metal. Use vegetable oil to clean oil-based ink.

Roll a thin layer of ink over the printing surface, then cover with paper and draw. When the paper is pealed away an impression in reverse of the drawn image is transferred from the inked surface to the paper. This can be repeated and redrawn in several colours, either at random, or in lines drawn through paper, or on paper laid on the inked surface and burnished. whenever the paper is peeled back a different image will have been transferred from the inked surface to the paper. Any drawing utensil will produce a print: a pencil or a piece of stick, the blunt side of a knife, the tip of a spoon or the top of a paintbrush. The more heavily the drawn line is pressed, the more textured it will be. Moreover, different papers have different effects; for example, thin paper is less textured. Although a one off print, several variations can be produced. the first print is a positive, but if printed again it becomes a negative.

Textured paper, small pieces of fabric, as well as string or sandpaper laid on the inked surface will print on the paper as well as the inked surface. Reprint, add and take away marks with a cloth, and print again. areas can also be masked with paper pieces. Water-based or oil-based ink can be painted directly onto the surface and burnished. Finally, the prints can be used as part of a collage, cut up and put back together.

Monoprint is an experimental process where lots of ideas can be carried across into other printing methods.