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Lesson 7 of 9
  • Year 10

Experiment with print: monotype

I can experiment with unusual tools and materials to create expressive, original prints.

View unit
Lesson 7 of 9
New
New
  • Year 10

Experiment with print: monotype

I can experiment with unusual tools and materials to create expressive, original prints.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Each monotype is singular rather than a reproducible copy, which creates a unique artwork with only one edition.
  2. Artists use mark-making to express tone and texture in monotype.
  3. Artists can use less formal tools like cotton buds and wooden forks to experiment in monotype.

Keywords

  • Monotype - a printmaking process where only one strong impression can be made, making each print unique

  • Ghost print - a lighter second print made from leftover ink on the plate after the first print; it creates a soft, faint image, like a shadow of the original. Artists may use ghost prints to create layered effects

Common misconception

You can make multiple identical prints from one monotype plate.

Monotypes create a single, original image. You can sometimes pull a faint ghost print after the first, but it’s never identical. The unique nature is what makes monotype special.


To help you plan your year 10 art and design lesson on: Experiment with print: monotype, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Greater contextual information on the artists' work can be found in the additional materials. You may wish to alter the imagery to better fit your project themes.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Block printing ink, rollers, acetate sheets, cotton buds, wooden forks, sticks, textured cloths, paintbrushes, paper, pritning press or barens or wooden spoons for hand pressure (if no press).

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
Which part of a relief print receives the ink?

The background
The carved areas
The sides of the plate
Correct answer: The raised areas

Q2.
Fill the gap: In reduction printing, the block is after each printed layer.

Correct Answer: reduced, carved, cut

Q3.
Match the term to its correct definition:

Correct Answer:Plate,A surface used to create a print

A surface used to create a print

Correct Answer:Texture ,How a surface feels or looks like it feels

How a surface feels or looks like it feels

Correct Answer:Tone ,The lightness or darkness of a colour

The lightness or darkness of a colour

Q4.
What is a plate in printmaking?

A drying tool
The ink used
The paper pressed
Correct answer: The surface that holds the image

Q5.
Tone describes how __________ a colour appears.

bright or vibrant
Correct answer: light or dark
soft or sharp
warm or cool

Q6.
Which phrase best describes visual texture?

Texture caused by thick paint
Correct answer: Texture you can’t feel but can see
The shape of an object
The way something feels when touched