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Year 8

Playing with monoprint

I can make a monoprint using both ink and oil pastel to create unique prints with different textures.

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Year 8

Playing with monoprint

I can make a monoprint using both ink and oil pastel to create unique prints with different textures.

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Share activities with pupils
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These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. A monoprint is a technique that produces one-of-a-kind images, allowing for creative experimentation.
  2. Monoprinting with ink is more likely to capture textures and marks than printing with oil pastel.
  3. Understand the monoprint process of ink, press and reveal.

Keywords

  • Monoprint - a one-off printmaking method where ink is rolled onto a surface, paper is placed on top, and a drawing transfers a mirrored impression on the reverse side of the paper

  • Reductive monoprint - a one-off printmaking method where ink is rolled on to a surface, then removed before paper is placed on top and a print taken

Common misconception

All types of monoprinting follow the exact same process.

There are a number of methods for monoprinting that have different steps and outcomes.


To help you plan your year 8 art and design lesson on: Playing with monoprint, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Images of locations have been provided in the Additional Materials however selecting your own imagery could provide an opportinuty to reflect the students lives or local context in the lesson.
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Teacher tip
equipment-required

Equipment

Oil pastels, paper, masking tape, drawing materials, images, printmaking ink rollers, newsprint or newspaper, tissue, fabric or cotton buds to remove ink.

copyright

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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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Why might artists use traditional printing methods to connect with the past?
to completely copy historical artworks without making changes
Correct answer: to honour past techniques while adding their own creativity
because digital printing is not considered real art
to ensure all artworks look identical to ancient prints
Q2.
What is texture in art?
only how something feels when touched
only how something looks without physical sensation
Correct answer: how something feels when touched or appears as if it has a certain feel
the brightness or darkness of an artwork
Q3.
Mark-making is the lines, dots, scratches and drawings created by drawing ...
Correct Answer: tools, equipment, materials
Q4.
A print is an impression made by any method involving from one surface to another.
texture
Correct answer: transfer
temperature
tempera
Q5.
Match each location with the correct example of printmaking.
Correct Answer:books,printed text and illustrations, often using lithography
tick

printed text and illustrations, often using lithography

Correct Answer:newspapers,mass-produced images and text using commercial printmaking techniques
tick

mass-produced images and text using commercial printmaking techniques

Correct Answer:galleries,Fine Art prints and historical etchings
tick

Fine Art prints and historical etchings

Correct Answer:public spaces,mass-produced images and text using commercial printmaking techniques
tick

mass-produced images and text using commercial printmaking techniques

Q6.
Repetition of a print can be important to artists as it allows them to test or compositions.
Correct Answer: colours, hues, shades, tones, pigments

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Monoprinting is a one-off printmaking method where ink is rolled onto a surface, paper is placed on top, and a drawing transfers a mirrored impression on the side of the paper.
Correct Answer: reverse, back, opposite, flipped
Q2.
What happens in monoprinting when ink is rolled onto a surface and paper is placed on top?
A regular print is created that can be reproduced multiple times.
Correct answer: A mirrored image is transferred onto the paper.
The image is burned onto the surface.
The ink evaporates, leaving no print.
Q3.
What makes monoprinting unique compared to other printmaking methods?
It uses a digital printer to create multiple copies.
Correct answer: Only one print can be made, making it a unique piece.
The prints are always identical.
The ink is never applied to the surface.
Q4.
Why might an artist choose different methods for monoprinting?
Correct answer: to create varied textures, colours, and visual effects
to always make the same print
to save time and use fewer materials
to produce digital prints
Q5.
What does 'mirrored impression' mean in printmaking?
Correct answer: The print appears as a reflection of the original image.
The image is reversed horizontally only.
The image appears blurry.
The ink is applied only on the edges.
Q6.
What does a reductive monoprint involve?
adding layers of ink to the surface only
Correct answer: removing ink from the surface and then pressing paper down to capture a print
creating multiple copies of the same print
using digital tools to manipulate the print

Additional material

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