Monotyping is a technique for printing from a single plate, created by drawing or painting the image directly onto a metal or glass surface for special effects, as opposed to using multiple plates. It is often used for creating limited editions of prints or for creating prints with large areas of flat color.

Monotyping is an ideal choice for printing when a painterly effect is desired, as the technique allows for large areas of flat color. The image is also transferred to the paper in a single impression, resulting in a print that is more consistent than one made with multiple plates.

However, monotyping can be a challenging technique to master, and it is not well suited for creating prints with highly detailed images.