Monoprint

What is an edition?

Usually an edition is a set of identical prints.

What is the difference between a monoprint and monotype?

    The two terms are often used as synonyms but they are different. Also note there is a difference between a monotype and a monoprint, terms that are often loosely interchanged.  A monotype being a print from a clean unworked surface (no etching, cutting etc). A monoprint can be a unique impression made from any worked matrix due to select wyping, rolling etc. 

    The painted or inked "plate" of a Monotype is printed onto a blank  sheet of paper. 

    The painted or inked plate of a "Monoprint" is printed onto a sheet  of paper that has been previously printed (or simultaneouly printed) by a traditional printing medium.This can be woodblock,litho,silkcreen, intaglio ...etc. 

    Here is where the confusion lies. There may be only one impression and a 
    "ghost" for a monotype....and 8 to 10 impressions of a monoprint. Each impression of the monoprint may be slightly different but can be essentially alike because of the reproducable matrix. These editions are often called "Edition Variee" ( variable edition)and are numbered as E.V. 1/8, E.V. 2/8, etc. 

    some suggest that in this specific situation that you could designate a monoprint 
    as an AP and number the other prints as E.V.'s. 

what is the proper way to sign a monoprint? 

    To write out the word "monoprint" is the preferred way.  A monoprint is often signed 1/1 or designated 'monoprint' or even 'mono'. 

    A/P is plain wrong! An Artists Proof should be identical to the editioned prints and usually does not exceed 10% of the edition size ie 2 A/Ps if edition is 20 etc. 

monotype videos

monotype books

    Monotype/Monoprint by Kurt Wisneski. Its available through Tamarind Institute 
    at WWW.unm.edu/~tamarind/bookstore.html.

clay monoprint

    The "paper" that Mitch Lyons used at his demonstration at the Mid America Confrence last year was interfacing of a heavier variety than used in the garment industry. . The pigments (as I recall) were water based and mixed with kaolin.He does demonstrations and also has a video. (Mitch Lyons, 2009 Newark Rd. P.O. Box 40, New London, PA 19360-0040.  
    very impressive demonstration.

Nature printing & gyotaku

    If you are interested in direct or indirect printing leaves, flowers, fish (spider 
    webs, seashells, people! etc) there is an organization called "Nature Printing Society"  which encourages nature printing via workshops, membership in its organization with a quarterly newsletter, and a book entitled "Printing from Nature: a Guidebook" which is the best "how to" articles from the first 20 years of the NPS newsletters. The art is very compatible with calligraphy, chine colle, and particularly monoprints. 
    sonjanps@uslink.net 
    Snailmail address: Sonja Larsen, 7675 Interlachen Rd, Lake Shore, MN 546468-8650. 
    Book is $9; make check out to NPS please. 

Clean Up of Printing Plate and Inking Station 

  • Vegetable oil (canola) and a rag.
  • Degrease with magnesium carbonate.
  • Put up all paper, plates, inks on personal or appropriate studio shelf and drawers.

Keep studio orderly.