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                                       T E C H N I C A L I N F O R M A T I O N

Monoprint

Direct Painting Technique:

A popular monoprinting technique where painterly gestures and marks can be achieved and multiple colors maybe inked simultaneously.

• Using a  plexiglass plate as a substrate for a piece of paper or canvas paint directly on the plate surface.

• Paint using either oil paint or etching ink which has been thinned out with mineral spirits, the tools used for painting are paintbrushes, Q tips, rags, and sponges.

• After your image is painted onto the plate surface. Place the inked plate onto the press.

• Place a dampened piece of paper over the inked image, and run it through the press with light to moderate pressure.

• When determining the appropriate pressure keep the following variables in consideration

• How heavy the ink application is used?

Light pressure should be used; if to much pressure is used the image will spear and smudge.

• How wet or dry the ink application?

If the ink application is wet light pressure recommended; the printing element may be air dried for up to 15 minutes prior to printing. This will allow for the surface of the inked element to dry allowing for slightly more pressure to be used.

• If the inked area is dry moderate to heavy pressure is to be used.

• If hand printing the image, place a thin piece of paper overt the inked image.

•  Then cover the paper with a larger piece of Mylar or acetate and with the use of a wooden spoon rub (using moderate pressure) the back of the printing paper. This will transfer the inked image to the paper. The Mylar / acetate will crate a buffer between the paper and the spoon, helping to prevent the paper from tearing and moving during printing.

_Direct Tracing Technique:

A monoprint  printmaking technique which produces a linear printed image.
This technique has a unique soft edge quality to the lines. It is reminiscent of the soft ground technique used in intaglio printing.

• Roll a thin even layer of medium-stiff etching ink onto the surface of the printing element. (If margins or a boarder are desired, apply masking tape to the plate prior to rolling the ink onto the plate surface).

• Place a piece of paper the size of the plate over the inked image area. The paper used maybe newsprint, tracing paper, layout paper, rice paper, or any other thin/light weight paper.

• At the top of the paper place a single piece of masking tape so to prevent the paper from moving.

• Once the paper is secured, draw your image on the back of the paper with either a pencil or a ballpoint pen. If wider lines are desired use a border drawing tool.

• When the drawing is complete, lift the taped paper, and view the image.

• Printing maybe done either by hand or by press.

If by press use moderate to light pressure.
 If hand printing the image, place a thin piece of paper overt the inked image.

• Then cover the paper with a larger piece of Mylar or acetate and with the use of a wooden spoon rub (using moderate pressure) the back of the printing paper.
  
• This will transfer the inked image to the paper. The Mylar / acetate will crate a buffer between the paper and the spoon, helping to prevent the paper from tearing and moving during printing.