A monotype is a unique print made from an image created on a smooth surface, such as a plate, and transferred to paper. Unlike editioned prints, a monotype usually cannot be repeated in the same way.
This makes monotypes unusual within printmaking: they use a print process but result in a unique work.
How monotypes are made
The artist creates an image on a plate using ink, paint or another material. The image is then transferred to paper through pressure. Because most of the image transfers in one pass, the result is usually unique.
Monotype vs monoprint
A monotype is generally a unique print from an unrepeatable image. A monoprint may include repeatable elements but still has unique variation.
Read What Is a Monoprint?.
Is a monotype an original artwork?
Yes, a monotype is often considered an original work within printmaking because it is unique rather than editioned.
What collectors should check
- Is it clearly described as a monotype?
- Is it unique?
- Is it signed?
- Is the paper and condition described?
- Is provenance included?
Final answer
A monotype is a unique print made through a transfer process. It combines the physical process of printmaking with the uniqueness of a one-off work.
Related reading
- Original Painting vs Limited Edition Print
- What Is a Printer’s Proof?
- Contemporary Art Terms Every New Collector Should Know
FAQ
Is a monotype unique?
Yes, a monotype is usually unique.
Is a monotype the same as a print?
It is a type of print, but unlike editioned prints, it is usually one of a kind.
Can a monotype be numbered?
Usually not as a standard edition, because it is unique, though documentation practices can vary.
