What are Mono-prints? The Art of the Unique.
Monoprinting is a fascinating hybrid form of printmaking that yields images or lines that cannot be exactly reproduced. Unlike standard printing—where the goal is to create identical copies—a monoprint is a “singular” impression. The word “mono” implies that each print is a unique work of art, distinct from all others.
There are many techniques of mono-printing, including collage, hand-painted additions, and a form of tracing by which thick ink is laid down on a table, paper is placed on top, and is then drawn on, transferring the ink onto the paper. Monoprints can also be made by altering the type, color, and pressure of the ink used to create different prints from the same matrix.
Techniques & Tradition Examples of standard printmaking techniques which can be used to make monoprints include lithography, woodcut, silk-screening, and etching. By manipulating the ink or paint on the screen or plate before pressing, the artist creates a “painterly” effect that is impossible to duplicate mechanically.
A History of Rebellion Monoprinting has been used by many artists who sought to break the rules of traditional reproduction, among them Georg Baselitz and Tracy Emin. Even some old master prints, like etchings by Rembrandt with individual manipulation of ink as “surface tone”, or hand-painted etchings by Degas might be classifiable as monoprints, though they are rarely described as such.
The Pop Art Connection In the context of the “Hollywood Most Wanted” collection, we embrace the tradition of silk-screen monoprinting popularized by the Pop Art movement of the 1960s. Much like Andy Warhol’s famous variations, our process ensures that while the base image (the mugshot) remains constant, the application of color, texture, and registration varies with every pull of the squeegee. When you acquire a monoprint from this gallery, you are not buying a mass-produced poster; you are acquiring a one-of-a-kind original piece of history.