How to Make Mixed Media Art Monoprint with Gel Plate

This post may contain affiliate links, sponsored content and products received at no cost.

3:00 AM

How to Make Mixed Media Art Monoprint with Gel Plate

Making beautiful monoprints using the Gelli Arts gel plate, acrylic paints and mixed media elements is a fascinating art form and lots of fun.

This fun craft is fast and easy, there's no skill level (great for young artists) 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 Mixed Media:

affiliate links

Gather up a bunch of Mixed Media items:

Book or magazine pages, stencils, lace, pastels, flowers, bubble wrap, collage materials, anything to add unique textures and relief shapes.

Glossy magazine pages or glossy book pages toner will resist the paint, leaving perfect imprints!

Supplies Needed for Gel Printing with Mixed Media: affiliate links Gelli Arts Gel Printing Plate (5x7) Brayer (5-7" wide) Plaid's Multi-Surface Acrylic Craft Paint (Variety Pack) Print Making Paper or Laser Print Paper 24 lb Baby Wipes Gather up a bunch of Mixed Media items: Book or magazine pages, stencils, lace, pastels, flowers, bubble wrap, collage materials, anything to add unique textures and relief shapes. Glossy magazine pages or glossy book pages will resist the paint, leaving perfect imprints!

WHAT IS GEL PLATE PRINTING?

Unlike screen printing and stamping, gel plate printing is only good for one single print, a monoprint.
Mono meaning one, and print.

Gel plate printing is a fun 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 great thing is that abstract compositions can be layered and layered using negative space or leaving blank space on the gel printing plate for journaling.

WHAT IS GEL PLATE PRINTING? Unlike screen printing and stamping, gel plate printing is only good for one single print, a monoprint. Mono meaning one, and print. Gel plate printing is a fun 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 great thing is that abstract compositions can be layered and layered using negative space or leaving blank space on the gel printing plate for journaling.

Step 1: Gel Plate Printing with Mixed Media

Begin by removing the plastic sheet from the top and bottom of the flexible Gelli Arts gel plate.
Then add a small amount of paint to the top surface of the gel plate.

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 1: Gel Plate Printing with Mixed Media Begin by removing the plastic sheet from the top and bottom of the flexible Gelli Arts gel plate. Then add a small amount of paint to the top surface of the gel plate. 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 Mixed Media

Now press the stencils, bubble wrap or other found objects 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 items slide around on the paint (this may be an indication that there is too much paint on the gel plate).

Immediately lift up the media and set it aside...but decide if you want to lift up and remove other items, or leave them there for a different impression.

Step 2: Gel Plate Printing with Mixed Media Now press the stencils, bubble wrap or other found objects 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 items slide around on the paint (this may be an indication that there is too much paint on the gel plate). Immediately lift up the bubble wrap and set it aside...but decide if you want to lift up and remove other items, or leave them there for a different impression.

Step 3: Gel Plate Printing with Mixed Media

Now you have quite a few options to finish off the mono print, but here are 2:

1. Immediately place a piece of paper over the top of the gel plate, press firmly all around and then pull up the paper, revealing the print!

2. Let the paint on the gel plate dry completely, then coat a thin layer of paint over the top of it and then place a piece of paper on the gel plate. Stack some heavy books on it and let it dry completely, about 10 minutes. Then remove the books, and pull the print off the gel plate.

Step 3: Jellie Plate Printing with Mixed Media Now you have quite a few options to finish off the mono print, but here are 2: 1. Immediately place a piece of paper over the top of the gel plate, press firmly all around and then pull up the paper, revealing the print! 2. Let the paint on the gel plate dry completely, then coat a thin layer of paint over the top of it and then place a piece of paper on the gel plate. Stack some heavy books on it and let it dry completely, about 10 minutes. Then remove the books, and pull the print off the gel plate.

That's it!

Enjoy making Mixed Media monoprints with the Gelli Arts Gel Plate, Plaid's Multi-surface acrylic craft paint and various mixed media elements.

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

Like, Pin and Save

Enjoy making bubble wrap monoprints with the Gelli Arts Gel Plate, Plaid's Multisurface acrylic craft paint and various mixed media elements. This fun craft is great for all paper crafting, card making, journaling, bookmarks and much more!

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

Gelli Arts printing using Plaid's multi-surface paint is my favorite combo for perfect transfers. Get a gelly plate and get printing your own awesome mono prints today!

CHECK OUT THESE OTHER MONOPRINTING POSTS!

How to Make Gel Plate Monoprints (DIY Art Printing)

Learn how to make gel plate monoprints with just a few simple supplies, a few minutes and no skill needed.

Monoprints are single time prints and can be created with just paint or layers of texture and impressions.

These are super fun to create and I'll teach you how to get the best results, but you can experiment and make them your own in no time at all.

How to Create Bookmarks with Gel Plate Printing DIY

Learn how to create beautiful bookmarks with gelli printing art monoprints!

Mono printing with a gel plate or gelli plate is so much fun, and transforming your gorgeous unique pieces and prints into laminated bookmarks is a quick and easy craft.

Let's get started creating these gorgeous ginkgo leaf printed bookmarks!

How to Make Monoprint Cards (Gel Plate Card Making)

Learn how to make greeting cards with gold ginkgo leaf monoprints.

Card making is one of my favorite, and OG crafts, I started card making in 2006.

These cards with monoprinted backgrounds are easy to make, stunning and perfect for any occasion.

Let's get started using these beautiful mono prints!

How to Make Monoprint Cards (Gel Plate Card Making) Learn how to make greeting cards with gold ginkgo leaf monoprints. Card making is one of my favorite, and OG crafts, I started card making in 2006. These cards with monoprinted backgrounds are easy to make, stunning and perfect for any occasion. Let's get started using these beautiful mono prints!

How to Make Ginkgo Leaves Bookmark Gingko Leaf Crafts

Learn how to make Ginkgo leaves bookmark using actual leaves.

This is a fun nature craft that works with the leaves used on gel plate ginkgo leaf prints, with a subtle amount of gold acrylic paint on each leaf surface.

Let's get started creating these natural and earthly bookmarks!