How to Make Monoprinting Art with Leaves (Leaf Print)

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How to Make Monoprinting Art with Leaves (Leaf Print)

Learn how to do monoprints using the Gelli Arts gel plate, acrylic paint and leaves or other natural materials.

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 Leaves:

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No special paper really needed, no watercolor paper is necessary.

Even tissue paper works for print pulling!

Supplies Needed for Gel Printing with Leaves: affiliate links 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 Baby Wipes No special paper really needed, no watercolor paper is necessary. Even tissue paper works for print pulling!

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, an etching press, 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.

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, an etching press, 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 a Leaf

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 a Leaf 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 Leaves

Now place a leaf or multiple leaves onto the inked plate surface while the paint is still wet.

Then cover the jellie plate with a fresh piece of paper.

Press it down over the top of the leaves firmly, but not hard, and careful not to let the bubble wrap slide around on the paint (this may be an indication that there is too much paint on the gel plate).

Step 2: Gel Plate Printing with Leaves Now place a leaf or multiple leaves onto the inked plate surface while the paint is still wet. Then cover the jellie plate with a fresh piece of paper. Press it down over the top of the leaves firmly, but not hard, and careful not to let the bubble wrap slide around on the paint (this may be an indication that there is too much paint on the gel plate).

Step 3: Gel Plate Printing with Leaves

After rubbing down the paper on the gel plate, lift up one side of the paper and remove the leaves.

Place the paper back down in the same spot, then lift the other side of the paper and remove the rest of the leaves.

Place the paper back down on the gel plate and rub smoothly.

Then pull up the paper, revealing the leafy print!

Step 3: Gel Plate Printing with Leaves After rubbing down the paper on the gel plate, lift up one side of the paper and remove the leaves. Place the paper back down in the same spot, then lift the other side of the paper and remove the rest of the leaves. Place the paper back down on the gel plate and rub smoothly. Then pull up the paper, revealing the leafy print!

That's it!

Enjoy making natural leaf monoprints with the Gelli Arts Gel Plate, Plaid's Multisurface acrylic craft paint and some botanicals and leaves of various sizes.

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

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Enjoy making natural leaf monoprints with the Gelli Arts Gel Plate, Plaid's Multisurface acrylic craft paint and some botanicals and leaves of various sizes. 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!