Printmaking: Monoprint
A monoprint is a one off impression made by applying printing ink to a flat surface and then transferring the image to
paper or a simular printing surface.
The printing surface can be anything which is flat, smooth and non-absorbent
(glass, plastic, metal, acetate), but should not be too thick as the print need to fit through the printing press.
The design can be build up just as though you were painting on paper or canvas, using paint brushes,
palette knifes, sticks or creating different textures and patterns.
Tips: When designing the plate, remember that the image will always be printed reversed.
Whitespirit can be used for thinning the ink and wash effect can be created with a large brush.
It is important not to use too much whitespirit as it will make the ink dry faster, leaving less time for creating the image.
After the image has been created, the printing paper is put on top of the plate, (printing side facing down)
and the image is transferred to the paper by being run through a printing press.
The print should be left to dry overnight, preferably on a flat surface or hung from a printing rack.
|
