Learn how to get the most from your gelliplate. Link in bio for newsletter #gelliplateprinting, by Lucys Art Studio - Lucy van Ligten on YouTube. 2 min 45 s.
- Video length
- 2 min 45 s
- Time to do it
- 30 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 9
What you need
Steps
Wipe the plate clean and let it dry fully. Work on a flat, washable surface and keep wipes nearby so paint never dries on the plate.
Squeeze a small bead of acrylic paint along one edge of the plate. A little goes far, and too much paint gives muddy, slippery prints.
Roll the paint out with a brayer in both directions until you have a thin, even film. Listen for a light tacky sound, which means the layer is right.
Press stencils, leaves, string or masks into the wet paint, then lift them off to leave shapes behind.
Lay paper over the plate and smooth it with your flat hand, working from the centre outwards. Do not slide the paper or the print will blur.
Peel the paper away from one corner in a steady motion and lay it flat to dry. This first pull is your main print.
Pull a second print from the paint left on the plate without adding more colour. These ghost prints are softer and make good backgrounds.
Let each layer dry before printing the next one, then add new colours, stencils or marks on top of the dry print.
Clean the plate with wipes and water as soon as you finish, then store it flat between sheets of paper or in its case.
Tips and common mistakes
Thin paint layers print better than thick ones, so build up colour over several pulls rather than one heavy coat.
Keep a spray bottle of water handy in warm rooms, since acrylic paint skins over quickly on the plate.
Save every pull, including messy ones, because they work well as collage and background layers later.
Test paper types first, as smooth coated paper releases from the plate more cleanly than rough watercolour paper.
Questions
How much paint should I use on a gel plate?
Start with a bead about the size of a pea for a small plate and roll it thin. You can always add more, but thick paint makes prints slip and turn muddy.
Why did my print tear or stick to the plate?
The paint layer was probably too thick or the paper was too thin and damp. Use less paint, smooth the paper gently and peel slowly from one corner.
Can I reuse a gel plate?
Yes, the plate is reusable for years if you clean it after each session. Keep it out of direct sun and store it flat so the surface stays smooth.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
