How to Make Gel Plate Monoprints with Magazine Image

Make beautiful Gelli Arts monoprints using the a gel plate, Plaid Multi-Surface acrylic paint and glossy magazine or book pages.

This fun craft is fast and easy, there's no skill level and it's a surprise every time you pull a print.

Gel plate printing is great for background texture in scrapbooks, card making, junk journaling, art journals and as fun modern art.

Supplies Needed for Gel Printing with Magazine Pages:

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• Gelli Arts Gel Printing Plate (5x7)
• Brayer (5-7" wide)
• Plaid's Multi-Surface Paint (Variety Pack)
• Print Making Paper or Laser Print Paper 24 lb
• Magazines of Glossy Books (thrifted, found or clipped)
• Baby Wipes

MAGAZINE OR BOOK PAGES:

Ideally you will want HIGH CONTRAST images in color or black and white, either works great.

The more high contrast the image (think black text on white background) the better the image transfer will be.

WHAT IS GEL PLATE PRINTING?

Gel Plate Printing is a form of printmaking, it has interesting textures, various techniques, image transfer options and is a unique printing method.

Unlike screen printing, etched plate, a reprintable block or stamping, gel plate printing is only good for one single print, a monoprint.

Mono meaning one, and print.

There are ways to do a series of monoprints using ghost prints and the same kind of print, but it's a new monoprint every time.

Gel plate printing has an element of surprise every time you pull the final prints because of the various effects and interesting textures that can't be duplicated the same way next time in second prints.

The abstract compositions can be layered and layered using negative space or leaving blank space on the printing surface for journaling.

Step 1: Gel Plate Printing with Magazine Image

Begin by removing the plastic sheet from the top and bottom of the flexible Gelli Arts gel plate.

Then add a small amount of dark color acrylic paint to the top surface of the gel plate, the dark color makes a big difference in the magazine transfer.

Roll the paint around the top surface until it is smooth, if it is too thin, it may lift off the paint as it dries too quickly...if the paint is too thick, it will have trouble making crisp prints.

Experiment a little to find the right amount of paint for your climate.

Step 2: Gel Plate Printing with Book Page Transfers

Now press the magazine page face down onto the surface of the gel plate while the paint is still wet.

Press it firmly, but not hard, and careful not to let the magazine page slide around on the paint (this may be an indication that there is too much paint on the gel plate).

Immediately lift up the magazine page and set it aside, revealing hopefully a beautiful clean transfer.

Step 3: Gel Plate Printing with Magazine Transfers

Let the magazine transfers on the jelly plate dry completely, about 3-5 minutes.

Then coat the gel plate with a thin layer contrasting color of acrylic paint or multiple colors.

Then immediately cover with a paper and place a book or a heavy stack of books on the back of the paper and let it dry completely with weight for 10 minutes.

Then remove the books, and pull the print, hopefully with a squeal for joy because of the awesome magazine page transfer.

That's it!

Enjoy making monoprints with the Gelli Arts Gel Plate, Plaid's Multisurface acrylic craft paint and glossy magazine (or book) high contrast pages.

This fun craft is great for all paper crafting, card making, journaling, bookmarks and much more!

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CHECK OUT THIS 10 PART SERIES ON GELLI ARTS GEL PLATE PRINTING USING PLAID MULTI-SURFACE PAINTS!

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