Gelli Printing
Paint, press, peel a print.
Gelli printing is monotype printmaking with a soft gel plate. You roll acrylic paint onto the plate, layer textures with stencils, leaves, or anything with a surface, then press paper down to pull a one-of-a-kind print.
It rewards experimentation over planning. Each pull is unique, and most sessions produce a stack of prints in different color combinations. A muddy pull just becomes the base layer for the next one.
The barrier to entry is low. A plate, a brayer, some acrylics, and paper get you started. The plate wipes clean with water, so cleanup is fast.
You’ll love gelli printing if…
- you'd rather experiment than plan a finished piece.
- you want fast, satisfying results in a single session.
- you like texture and layering more than precise detail.
What you'll need to get started
Gelli plate
A soft gel printing plate is the centerpiece of the whole hobby. An 8x10 plate is a good starter size; smaller plates work for cards.
Brayer (rubber roller)
Rolls paint evenly across the plate. A 4-inch brayer is the right size for most plates.
Acrylic paint set
Open-bodied acrylics (not heavy-bodied) work best — they stay wet long enough on the plate to pull a print before drying. A starter set of student-grade acrylics is plenty.
Stencil pack
Stencils, masks, and texture tools open up the layered look that makes gelli prints distinctive. Cheap or DIY — leaves and old credit cards work too.
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