Monoprinting

How to create a mono print!

Equipment :

• Caligo relief inks or Block Printing Inks 
• Working surface which is a thin plastic sheet 
• If printing with plastic sheet the Albion and Etching press can be used.
• Drawing, mark-making equipment such as biros, paintbrushes, sticks, cotton buds and a pencil.
• Roller for inking
•  Paper; newsprint, brown paper, copy paper, sugar paper and cartridge paper for printing. 
• Newspaper to lie on top of tables. 

 Cleaning up:

• Soap and a sponge
• Use water for all caligo inks. 
• Ventilate room and store all books and bags under tables. 
• You may wish to wear gloves, this prevents skin contact with inks and cleaning materials. 

Method 1 : Reductive 

This is the easiest way of making a mono print you have to re roll the ink after each print. Rememeber doing a print this way will reverse your image.

• Roll ink thinly onto a sheet of plastic 
• Draw into the ink with mark making tools 
• Place plastic under blankets on Etching press, place paper and print. (Always check pressure before printing) 

Method 2- Drawing onto the back of the paper.

This method creates a better quality of line, it is particularly suited to hand drawn typography, life drawing and still Life. 

•  Roll out thin layer of ink, it is important not to use too much. 
• Lightly place paper over the ink. (Try using different types of paper) 
•   Draw onto the back of the paper with your drawing tools, some of these could be, biro, finger, stick, etc. The pressure will transfer the ink onto the paper