How to Monoprint With Freezer Paper
Monoprinting is a printmaking process that yields one-of-a-kind prints. Although you can create works that are similar to one another, you can never exactly reproduce a monoprint. Although artists traditionally use gelatin printing plates to create their monoprints, you can use freezer paper to achieve similar effects. If you live in a warm climate or you don't want to bother with the potential mess that gelatin could create, freezer paper is an excellent alternative. It's easy to print from and it's easy to clean up.
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Things You'll Need
- Paper
- Ruler
- Utility knife
- Teaspoon
- Shallow plastic containers
- Acrylic paint
- Glycerin
- Plastic spoon
- Freezer paper
- Tape
- Paintbrushes
- Sponges
- Texture tools
- Resists
Instructions
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1
Cut the paper you want to print on to the desired size. Use a ruler and utility knife to make your cuts as even as possible.
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2
Squeeze several teaspoons of acrylic paint into a shallow plastic container and use a spoon to mix in a teaspoon of glycerin. Repeat this step for each color you want to print, using a different plastic container for each shade.
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3
Cut a piece of freezer paper with sides that measure at least 1 inch smaller than your printing paper. Once you tear a piece of paper off the roll, use a ruler and utility knife to make even cuts.
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4
Tape the freezer paper to your work surface with the waxy side facing upward.
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5
Create your design. You can apply the paint to the freezer paper with a variety of paintbrushes and sponges.
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Add texture with wood grain tools, pick combs or rubber stamps.
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Use resists to keep your design from printing in certain spots. Cut shapes or stencils from card stock and arrange them on top of your design.
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8
Place the printing paper on top of the freezer paper monoprint plate before the paint dries.
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9
Gently press on the paper to transfer your design and slowly pick it up.
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Allow the print to dry.
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Print multiple layers onto your paper to create rich, textured monoprints. Use the method described above to design and print each layer.
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Tips & Warnings
Look for freezer paper (white butcher paper with one waxy side) at any large supermarket.
You can find glycerin at your local pharmacy.
References
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Comments
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what does glycerin do to the paint? why use it?
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aspiringone
Jan 08, 2010
Can you please describe what the glycerin does to the acrylic paint? Is it used as a retarder? Also, you wrote about resists, but only listed cut paper. Are there others? Thanks for the article!
