A monotype is created by drawing or painting onto a metal or glass plate, which is then printed by hand or on an etching press. There are no incised lines or acid areas bitten into the plate. A monoprint is the same as a monotype but includes repeatable incised areas on the plate. The surface used in lithography is either German limestone or a prepared metal lithographic plate. During the printing process the surface is kept damp as ink is rolled over its surface.
Paper is placed over the surface and it is rolled through the printing press.
The mixture of drawn and painterly processes in lithography allows for a great deal of freedom in creating the image .