Gel printing

Create your own patterns for fabric or paper

Gel printing, also called gelli printing, is an incredibly fun technique where you create your own patterns on a gel plate. You can then transfer that pattern to, for example, paper or fabric. What is needed is basically the gel plate, a brayer and acrylic paint. That is the base itself. The brayer is like a roller that helps you roll out a thin layer of acrylic paint on the gel plate. It is really important that there are thin layers of paint.

Then you can create different patterns with exactly what you want. Your finger, brushes, stencils, only your imagination sets the limits. Then you put it on a piece of paper and carefully stroke it with your hand. Pull the paper away and there you have your own unique work of art.

You can build up layer by layer with different patterns and colors. You can also use printouts from laser printers or pictures from certain magazines, but learn the basics first. Play around step by step and start simple. This is to get a feel for how the paint works, how much paint to use, whether it needs to dry for a while, etc.

Gel printing is really fun. You can create backgrounds on cards, artwork, scrapbooking and mixed media projects. Print on fabrics and create completely unique bags, pillow covers etc. There are endless possibilities to try. To create your own artwork wall with prints from growing baby footprints. A photo wall inspired by Andy Warhol's works. General abstract art to naive art. Simply to play and have fun, experiment.