Mono print

Mono Printing 

Mono printing is a printing method that produces a one off print. There are three types of mono print, subtractive, additive and painterly. 

Subtractive 

Subtractive mono print is a form of mono print where you remove layers of ink to produce a print. 

Method:

1) First get your plate to roll your ink out on and two rollers along with your ink colour of choice. 

2) Then with your ink pour out a pea size shape onto your plate. 

3) Using one roller, roll out your ink vertically then horizontally. Your ink will be ready to use when the ink sounds sticky. 

4) Then gather up the materials you wish to use to take away the ink from the plate surface. You could use a pen, tooth pick, cotton bud, cardboard, bubble wrap or paint brush. 

5) Then using each material create patterns within the inked surface. 

6) Once thats done you're ready to pass it through the press machine. 

7) Make sure there is news print laid down on the machine so the ink doesn't transfer onto the large felt sheets. 

8) Then place your inked plate onto the felt sheet, inked side up. Then cover with a piece of paper. Place the top felt sheet over the top and you're ready to roll it through the press machine.

7) Once its been pressed through you've completed the subtractive print. If there was an excess amount of ink you can pass it through the press again to achieve a 'ghost print'. 

8) Don't forget to clean up your work station, make sure you wash off the plate and rollers.

Additive

Additive mono print is where you add to the print with colour. 

Method:

1) Repeat methods 1-4 as said above. 

2) After you've gathered your materials place a sheet of paper over the top of the inked surface.

3) Using your material draw onto the sheet of paper to create a pattern or image.

4) Peel away the paper to reveal your design on the other side of the paper

5) To create a coloured print you've first got to add the coloured paper or paint before laying the sheet of paper onto the inked surface. 

6) Make sure you wash up your plate and roller.

Painterly 

For this method you directly paint onto the plate. 

Method: 

1) Grad your materials, ink, paint brushes, tooth picks, rags anything to paint with. 

2) Directly apply the paint to the plate and begin to paint to create a pattern or image. 

3) After you've finished place a piece of paper over the top of the plate, and using a barren slowly begin to apply pressure to the back of the paper in a slow circling motion. 

4) Once you've done that you can then put the print through the press machine to create a 'ghost print'. To use the press machine repeat steps 7-8 on the subtractive method. 

5) Make sure you wash up your plate and roller before leaving or adding new ink. 

Materials 

• Ink 
• Plastic plate 
• Rollers 
• Paintbrushes 
• Tooth picks 
• Rags 
• Cotton buds
• Bubble wrap 
• Textured wall paper