Kelly Campbell| Technical Ceramics, 1
Mono Printing | Using slips
Mitch Lyons| Examples of 2D and 3D forms.
Mono printing is a way of applying under glaze colour and texture to the surface of green clay (green
refers to the clay being unfired and directly cut from the Bag). Coloured layers can be built up
through a series of layered applications. Slip is applied to newsprint; this layer of colour is then
transferred from the surface of the newsprint to the surface of the clay. You can apply mono prints
using slip to both 2 dimensional and 3 dimensional forms. Surface pattern can be applied in between
layer applications. For example, a base layer of colour can be applied to the surface of the clay; this
can then have another colour printed over the top. This process can be repeated until you have a
multi layered print on the surface of the clay. Stencils can also be used to create shapes that can
then be transferred to the surface. As with most ceramic applications timing is crucial, the following
methodology will cover all aspects of the mono printing process. With a little bit of knowledge a
great deal can be achieved.
Artists using mono printing onto the clay surface
Mitch Lyons, American born ceramic artist
Tools Needed
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Slips/ a range of colours, stored in sealed containers
Clay
A Rolling pin and 2 guide sticks
Slip brush/s
Newsprint
Ceramic knife
Cardboard tube
Small roller
Kelly Campbell| Technical Ceramics, 1
Slip Recipes: Add slip recipes
Tile 6 10
Frit 3124 30
Talc 10
Flint 25
Glomax 5
Zircopax* 15 (white)
Stains 15
Iron Oxide 15
(burgundy)
*Omit zircopax with black stain.
ABF Sticks To Anything
White Slip cone 10
EPK 50
OM4 Ball 50
Flint 50
Cornwall stone 25
Neph syenite 25
Ultrox 5
Frit3195 5
colorants
Cobalt Carb. 5
Cobalt Carb. 1
Chrome Oxide 8
Red Iron Oxide 5
Iron Chromate 4
Pwd. Manganese Diox. 3
Cobalt Carbonate 2
Stephenson Easy 04
Underglaze
OM4 Ball 1/3
Stain 1/3
3195 or 3124
Kelly Campbell| Technical Ceramics, 1
Fig 1
The above images show slip that has been mixed to a single crème consitsncy. The
ceramic brush is soaked with slip, marks are made onto the newsprint, these marks are
then allowed to dry until they are opake in their apperance. Slip must not be allowed to
dry completely as it will dry and start to crack and will be rendered useless. Its always
best practice to lay out youre newsprint first and make your marks. This will enable the
slip to dry whilst you are rolling out your clay.
Kelly Campbell| Technical Ceramics, 1
Fig 2
Take your clay from the bag and shape it into a round ball, pat the ball in your hands
until it becomes flatter. Place the flattened ball onto a clean surface, bang the ball on
to the table, turning it over reglauy until it becomes flatter. Take a clean rolling pin and
2 sticks (the thisckness you want for you form). Place your sticks either side of the clay,
Using the rolling pin, role down from the centre of the clay and they up from the centre
of the clay. Never roll from one end to another as you will end up with a big wedge of
clay at one end.
Kelly Campbell| Technical Ceramics, 1
Fig 3
Once you have rolled your clay out, turning it over every role. Cut the 2 sides off your
clay so that the sticks fit flush to the side of your clay. This makes it easier to role out
and enables you to get a perfect thickness. Once you are happy with the thickness, turn
over your clay over one last time and using the cutting sticks cut your clay square (or to
your desired shape).
Kelly Campbell| Technical Ceramics, 1
Fig 4
Refer to methodoligy how to slab build a cylinder.
Kelly Campbell| Technical Ceramics, 1
Fig 5
The surface of the clay must by damp, but not takky. The clay must not be allowed to
dry to leather hard.
The above image shows the mono print being laid onto the surface of the clay, using a
roller, roller onto the back of the newsprint; this will release the colour from the
newsprint directly onto the surface of the clay. Peel away the newsprint to reveal your
colour. As with the above image colours can be built up in layers, for example, the light
blue sits underneath the pink and violet colours which have been applied on top.
Using stencils in Mono printing