Die-cut Monoprints Masterclass
I’ve given the die-cut monoprint technique a go and oh wow! I love the results! The step-by-step guide within the feature should help you create your very own monoprint cards with die-cuts. It is very addictive and once you start you won’t be able to stop!
Monoprinting is a form of printmaking during which you can take one original print – for example, pressing an object into freshly-applied ink or paint to make a ‘mark’, removing the object and then placing a panel on top to take a print. With die-cut monoprints, the idea is to apply a water-soluble dye-based ink to the panel directly, die-cut the inked card, mist with water to re-activate the ink, place a clean panel on top and press firmly by running it through an embossing machine.
Once the die-cut is removed, it will leave a pattern identical to the inked die-cut. I took it a step further and reversed the process by creating a negative monoprint. I inked an entire A6 panel with Distress Oxide Ink, misted this panel with water to activate the ink, then placed a plain die-cut frame in between the inked cardstock and another A6-size panel, before running it through my machine. In this case the die-cut created a ‘resist’. There are so many possibilities. You can use any die-cut shapes and various coloured inks.
What I have learned during my play is that the more ink you apply to the panel, or die-cut you will be using to imprint onto a panel, the better. Therefore, an ink applied directly to a paper always gives more vibrant results than if applied by a sponge. It is also a good idea to keep an eye on how much water you apply when misting the inked panel. Too much and diluted ink will seep around the die-cut and the details will be ruined. Too little and you might get a speckled dry-looking impression. After a few test-runs you will understand the process and there will be no stopping you! Enjoy!
Apply Distress Oxide Ink onto a 5” square of white cardstock, from the centre outwards
Die-cut the mandala from the centre of the inked panel
Spray water all over the inked panel
Immediately place a same size piece of white cardstock on top. Run this through the embossing machine in between the cutting plates to apply maximum pressure
Separate the two panels and leave to dry or use a heat tool
Trim the edges of the panels to the right size for the card blank
You will need
- white 5”-square card blank
- white & black cardstock
- Altenew Leaf Medallion die
- Altenew Mega Greetings 2 stamp set
- Wilted Violet, Picked Raspberry & Ripe Persimmon Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Oxide Ink
- VersaMark inkpad
- Opaque White WOW! embossing powder
- vellum paper
- sequins
- water spritzer
- heat tool
- manual die-cutting machine
You will need
- White 5”-square card blank
- White & black cardstock
- Waffle Flower Lacy Flower XL die
- WPlus9 Sending, Hoping, Wishing die & stamp set
- Ripe Persimmon & Dried Marigold Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Oxide Ink
- VersaMark inkpad
- Opaque White WOW! embossing powder
- Sequins
- Water spritzer
- Heat tool
- Manual die-cutting machine
You will need
- White A6 card blank
- White & black cardstock
- Rich Gold Mirri Card
- Waffle Flower Lacy Flower XL die
- Altenew Mega You die
- Altenew Mega Greetings 2 stamp set
- Ripe Persimmon & Dried Marigold Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Oxide Ink
- VersaMark inkpad
- Opaque White WOW! embossing powder
- Vellum paper
- Heat tool
- Manual die-cutting machine
You will need
- White A6 card blank
- White cardstock
- Previous Marieke Spring Flowers Oval Frame die
- WPlus9 Sending, Hoping, Wishing die & stamp set
- Spun Sugar, Picked Raspberry & Wilted Violet Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Oxide Ink
- VersaMark inkpad
- Gold embossing powder
- Vellum paper
- Sequins
- Heat tool
- Manual die-cutting machine
You will need
- White A6 card blank
- White cardstock
- Rich Gold Mirri Card
- Previous Marieke Spring Flowers Oval frame die
- Altenew Simply Thank You die
- Wild Honey, Dried Marigold, Ripe Persimmon, Pinked Raspberry & Wilted Violet Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Oxide Ink
- Sequins
- Manual die-cutting machine