Essential Monoprinting Techniques for Artists

1. How to Ink a Printing Plate 

Good monoprinting starts with the right amount of ink. Learn how to roll printing ink into a thin, even and tacky layer, and discover the visual and audible signs that tell you when your plate is ready to print.

2. Learn to Create a Feather Print Using Additive Monotype Printing

Build an image directly onto your printing plate by applying ink with rollers, brushes and mark-making tools. In this demonstration, we create a feather monotype, exploring how different marks can be used to develop line, shape and texture before transferring the image onto paper.

3. Learn to Create a Landscape Using Subtractive Monotype Printing

Start with a fully inked plate and create your image by removing ink to reveal lighter areas, shapes and marks. Watch how we use the subtractive monotype process to create a landscape while exploring tone, texture, highlights and expressive mark-making.

4. Learn to Create a Botanical Print Using Trace Monotype Printing

Combine drawing and printmaking using the trace monotype technique. Place paper over a thinly inked plate and draw onto the reverse, using different amounts of pressure to transfer expressive lines and marks. Our botanical olive branch demonstrates how the process can bring character to observational drawing.

5. Learn to Create a Ghost Print Using Monotype Printing

Don't clean your printing plate after pulling your first monotype – print it again. A ghost print uses the residual ink left behind to create a softer, lighter second impression, ideal for exploring transparency, layering, texture and atmospheric effects.

6. Learn to Create a Layered Botanical Print Using Monoprint Registration

Build colour, depth and detail by printing multiple layers over the same image. Learn how simple registration techniques help you reposition your paper accurately, allowing colours, shapes and textures to overlap and interact within a layered botanical monoprint.

7. Learn to Create Colour Gradients Using Split Fountain Printing

Introduce gradual colour blends into your printmaking with split fountain rolling. By rolling two or more printing inks together without completely mixing them, you can create smooth gradients and multicoloured backgrounds ready to combine with other monoprinting techniques.

8. Learn to Create Textured Monoprints Using Found Objects

Experiment with found objects and textured materials to create unexpected marks and surface patterns. Press materials such as leaves, lace, mesh, packaging or everyday objects into an inked plate and discover how their shapes and textures transform when printed.

9. Learn to Create Botanical Prints Using Stencils & Masks

Explore positive and negative space by using stencils and masks to control where ink is transferred. Layer shapes, reposition stencils or introduce additional colours to create bold compositions, patterns and imagery using this versatile monoprinting technique.

10. Learn to Add Colour & Collage to Prints Using Chine-Collé

Combine printmaking and collage with chine-collé. Lightweight coloured or textured papers are bonded into the artwork during the printing process, introducing another layer of colour, pattern and surface that becomes an integral part of the finished print.

11. Learn to Create Textured Gel Plate Prints Using Found Objects

Explore a playful approach to gel plate monoprinting using colour, texture and found materials. Roll ink onto a reusable gel plate, then use stencils, botanicals, elastic bands and everyday objects to manipulate the surface and create colourful, layered prints.