What is Gelliprinting?

A gelliplate is a soft, reusable and durable printing surface. It’s called gelli because it’s designed to replicate the texture and functionality of a traditional gelatin plate! How does it work, you ask? First, you need the right materials. 

• Acrylic paints (preferably the brand Amsterdam)

• Fabric medium (if you’re planning to print on fabric)

• Paint brushes

• Brayers

• Tracing paper for specific techniques 

• Spray bottles and/or Clorox wipes

• Soft items with texture (such as bubble wrap, saran wrap, yarn)

• Paper (Bristol or mixed media paper is best)

• Fabric (old tees, fabric scraps)

• Thin wood (great for jewelry).  

• Compressed charcoal & nu pastels (for charcoal transfers)

Now that you have your materials, the acrylic paint or ink is applied to the plate. Then, paper or fabric is pressed onto the plate to transfer the design, creating your very own unique print. Additionally, charcoal or chalk pastel transfers use tracing paper for application. If you’re lucky, an extra “ghost print” will be able to be pulled from the plate afterward! This technique is used for mixed-media projects, card designs and other creative printmaking endeavors. A gelliplate is lightweight and easy to handle. It’s very clean and accessible, too! Materials are affordable from your local art store to online shopping. It’s always ready for you to use any time you want to experiment with various printmaking styles. It’s a monotype process, so no two prints will ever be identical. Every print becomes a small truly individual moment to be captured only once. If you’ve ever wanted to make something truly one of a kind, ever wanted to capture a singular moment in time, something that could never be replicated... try gelliprinting with me! 

It's important to get creative with gelliprinting - play around with colors, textures, charcoal, and stencils to create something more spontaneous. Having a clear vision of the textures or colors I want to use can be helpful, but other times I'm more focused on the overall energy I want to create and let the process guide me. Sometimes, I will even step away from a print for a while and come back with fresh inspiration to paint, draw, or print on top of it - maybe even rip it up and put it together!

One of my favorite things about creating a gelliprint is how unpredictable it is. When I peel off the print and see the design for the first time, I get glimpses of the layers behind my creation. I see how it can mirror the way I navigate chaos, emotion, and intuition in my own life. Each pull becomes a moment of discovery in time, allowing me to build texture, movement, and depth through instinct rather than control. Letting go of this control releases expectations and restrictions on what I create, allowing me to fully connect with my art. I aim to create something that feels raw, energetic, and has layers of emotion that hold both spontaneity and intention.

I hope that by reading this, you feel more inspired to create something new - something maybe even out of your comfort zone. For me, the process of creating revolves heavily around transformation and giving things a new purpose. Don't be afraid to lean into this process, even if it can be a little messy!

With Love,