Printing & Books: monoprint stencils

Inked stencils (after printing)

In our second class we created a monoprint using stencils.  To create a two color flower print I cut two stencils from card stock.  One stencil represents the flower, with negative space in the center.  The second stencil is of a stem with 3 leaves.  The flower stencil was inked in a pink, and the stem was inked in green. 

We used a floor model printing press to make our prints.

1. A sheet of paper was placed on the press.  
2. The stem & leaf stencil was placed ink side down on the paper.
3. A larger sheet of paper was placed over it all.
4. The stack was rolled under the press.
5. The first stencil was removed and the flower stencil was places ink side down on the paper.
6. The stack was again rolled through the press.

Flower print

The ink from the first printing bled through the ink from the second printing were they overlap.  This could be because the ink from the first printing wasn't dry, or due to the choice of colors.

Using this process you can do multiple printings to create complex prints.