What printing technique allows an artist to obtain an impression from the surface of a material?

Frottage is a unique printing technique that enables artists to create impressions directly from the textures and surfaces of materials. This is achieved by placing paper over a textured surface and rubbing or drawing on the paper with a medium like pencil or crayon, which captures the detail and patterns of the underlying material. This method emphasizes the natural textures and can produce surprising and organic images, often used in surrealist art and experimentation.

While techniques like monotype, linocut, and mezzotint are also legitimate forms of printmaking, they operate under different principles. Monotype is known for producing a single, unique print from a painted or inked surface while the ink is still wet. Linocut involves carving into a linoleum block to create an image that is then inked and pressed onto paper, which emphasizes linear designs rather than surface textures. Mezzotint is an intaglio technique that produces rich tonal effects by roughening the plate, and it does not focus on capturing surface textures directly. Each of these methods presents distinct characteristics and aesthetics, which differentiate them from frottage.