HowTo

Printmaking & Monotype

(a) Monotype
(b) Solarplate Etching
(c) Relief Printing
(d) Screenprinting using Liquid Fibre Reactive Dyes
(e) Screenprinting using Lyntex and pigments on Paper

(a) Water-based Monotype Colours and Accessories

A monotype is made by painting an image onto a non-absorbent surface and then transferring that image by means of pressure. CREATEX has simplified this method so that you can easily enjoy this centuries old tradition shared by such artists as Rembrandt, Edgar Degas, Matisse, and Picasso. Discover the spontaneous magic of making monotypes using water-based paints, with or without a press. CREATEX Monotype Colours are unique water-based, non-toxic, permanent paints crafted specifically for making monotypes. Simply paint on any non-absorbent surface i.e. Perspex or Lexan - (polycarbonate) and allow to dry. Transfer your image to dampened paper by rubbing, printing pin, (a special rolling pin) or press. This unique water-based process allows lots of time to create the image, unlike oil-based inks which must be printed before the ink is dried.

Colours available in 120ml & 240ml
Monotype Base available in 120ml, 480ml & 960ml
Monotype Medium available in 240ml

Monotype User Guide

Materials

Printing Surface- Use a flat non-absorbent surface such as a sheet of Perspex or polycarbonate (Lexan).
Paper-Use absorbent, lightly sized papers such as Arches 88, BFK Rives, Japanese papers or handmade papers with little or no sizing.
Createx Monotype Colours and Monotype Base.
Painting tools-brushes, pieces of foam, blunt sticks, cotton buds, foam or soft rubber rollers.
Blotting paper or butchers paper.
Drawing board or other flat surface to flatten print.
Soaking tray for paper. Water spray bottle.

Painting the Image (step 1)
1) Clean plate with a cloth and detergent to remove residual oils and paint.
2) Apply colour directly to the plate using a brush, sponge, roller, etc. Avoid heavy impasto strokes and buildup of paint which can stick during printing.
3) Allow paint to thoroughly DRY before transferring.

Wetting the Paper (step 2)
For lightly sized papers: (e.g. Arch 88) Prior to painting your image, thoroughly wet the paper by spraying it with water until it is evenly damp or dip it into water. Cover the paper with a sheet of plastic and allow to sit while you complete the painting process. When paint is dry on the plate, remove surface moisture from paper with a towel or blotter. Then transfer image. For sized papers: (e.g. Rives BFK) Hand Transfer: Soak paper for up to 4 hrs. in warm water. Press transfer: Soak for 30 mins. in warm water. (Use warm water especially in colder climates and a light spray of water for papers around 40gsm).

Printing Process (step 3)
Hand transfer- Starting with one side, lower dampened paper on top of your plate (this will protect the paper and help retain moisture). Push paper into the painted plate using any of the following tools: Createx Printing Pin, soft rubber roller, wooden spoon, rolling pin, or barren. If all areas of the image are not transferring, spray mist the back of the paper and continue rubbing until the image is transferred.

Using a press- With your plate face-up on the press bed, place dampened paper over the plate. Place a sheet of paper over the printing paper, then a sheet of plastic or acetate to protect the blankets during the printing process. After you have run the plate through the press, gently pull away the finished print.

Curing the Print (step 4)
Flattening and Drying- Sandwich your print(s) between sheets of butchers paper. Use a flat weighted surface to keep the paper flat while drying. Change the newsprint (butchers paper) as it becomes damp.

Monotype
Besides using these special monotype paints, multi surface and acrylic paints can be used for monotype. Dyes can also be used for monotype onto fabric and cotton papers.

For Workshops on this process in Australia or overseas contact me <colours@judybourke.com>

Monotype Accessories

Printing without a Press
Createx Printing Pin
Precision machined 14" aluminium roller designed with rounded edges to avoid scoring of the paper. An aluminium rolling pin. Colour releases easily and safely with minimal effort and without a press.

Roslyn Keane’s Barren
Ros has developed a unique barren that can be used for hand transfer of images. It is suitable for all relief printing including lino, woodcut and monotype. A beautifully crafted object. $170.50 AUD including GST Contact Ros for more info. <rozkean@bigpond.com>

Createx Monotype Handbook
36 page illustrated booklet which explains the many uses of the Createx Monotype Colours. Chapters include suitable materials, techniques, troubleshooting, much more. Written by Julia and Gail Ayres.

Teachers!! This booklet is great!!

(b) Solarplate Etching + aquatint screen

Solarplate etching is a method that uses light sensitive polymer plates to etch the image. I have used this method for the etchings in my virtual gallery. Solarplate Etching can be used with monotype paints to produce coloured etchings, using the press to transfer the colour and intaglio print in one go.

In 1992, I met Dan Welden at a Solarplate workshop in Wollongong, Australia and was impressed with his efforts to protect the health of artists and the environment. In July 1992, I participated in a Summer session at Long Island University USA that included monotype workshops with Dan. I visited his studio. I have since invited Dan to visit Australia and coordinated workshops in Wollongong, Sydney and Melbourne. Since Dan first developed the use of Solarplates, Pauline Muir of Adelaide, South Australia has developed the Aquatint Screen in conjunction with Command E. The Aquatint Screen allows large areas of black to be printed when using the Solarplate etching process.

Contact me <colours@judybourke.com> to book a workshop in Solarplate Etching in your area or studio.

(c) Relief Printing

Monotype paints, acrylic paints, multi surface paints, and dyes can be used for lino printing, woodblock printing and any relief printing.

Lino and Wood block printing.
Monotype paint
A foam roller, brush, sponge or any other suitable applicator may be used to apply the paints. This is an interesting and new way to print your linos or woodblocks.
Dyes
Thicken the dyes with either guar gum or sodium alginate for application of dyes to relief surface. Follow dye instructions for best results.

(d) Screenprinting

Multi Surface paints, Acrylic Multi Purpose paint, Multi purpose Extender base, monotype paints and Liquid Fibre Reactive Dyes are, all suitable for screen printing onto either paper or fabric (natural & synthetic).

(e) Screenprinting with Lyntex on Paper

Lyntex is a transparent paste that is used with pure pigments to create a printing ink that is non-toxic, will not warp the paper. Colours are bright and permanent. Add opaque medium to create a cover of light colours over dark. Lyntex is permanent when dry. Also useful for some interesting effects when painting watercolours.

"Shop Notes on Waterbased Screenprinting" by Lynwood Kreneck. 56 page illustrated manual covering registration, stencil preparation, printing procedures, trouble shooting and more.

You can order supplies from this website. Check the prices and colour charts prior to completing the fax order form or contact me <colours@judybourke.com>.

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