The Joy of the Jelly: Exploring the Gelli Plate Printing

June 2, 2025

The Joy of the Jelly: Exploring the Gelli Plate Printing

In the ever-evolving world of printmaking, a wonderfully accessible and endlessly playful technique has captured the hearts of artists and crafters alike: Gelli plate printing. This simple yet versatile method allows anyone, from seasoned printmakers to curious beginners, to create unique and beautiful monoprints without the need for a traditional press.

A Serendipitous Invention: The History of the Gelli Plate

While the concept of printing with a gelatinous surface has roots in the 19th century with the hectograph – a method for making multiple copies using a gelatin pad – the modern Gelli plate as we know it today is a much more recent innovation. The story begins with artist Joan Bess, co-founder of Gelli Arts®..

As an avid printmaker who enjoyed the unique effects of printing on traditional gelatin plates,

Bess encountered the inherent limitations of this method. Real gelatin plates were often perishable, difficult to store, and not always ready when inspiration struck. This frustration sparked an idea: to create a durable, reusable, and portable printing surface that mimicked the sensitive texture of gelatin.

As an avid printmaker who enjoyed the unique effects of printing on traditional gelatin plates, Bess encountered the inherent limitations of this method. Real gelatin plates were often perishable, difficult to store, and not always ready when inspiration struck. This frustration sparked an idea: to create a durable, reusable, and portable printing surface that mimicked the sensitive texture of gelatin.

After a period of research and development, Joan Bess, along with co-founder Lou Ann Gleason, launched Gelli Arts® in June 2011, introducing the world to their revolutionary polymer gel printing plate. This non-toxic, easy-to-clean, and always-ready surface quickly gained popularity among printmakers, painters, scrapbookers, and mixed media artists. The ease of use and the almost instant gratification of pulling a unique print made it an instant hit. Soon after, other companies like Speedball and Gel Press developed their own versions of these user-friendly printing plates, further solidifying its place in the contemporary art landscape.

The Magic of the Monoprint: Gelli Plate Techniques

The beauty of Gelli plate printing lies in its simplicity and the endless possibilities for experimentation. The basic process involves applying paint – typically acrylics – onto the gel plate with a brayer, manipulating the paint with various tools and textures, and then pulling a print by pressing paper or fabric onto the painted surface.

Some key techniques that artists explore with Gelli plates:

Direct Printing: Applying paint and pulling a print directly captures the texture and movement of the paint on the plate.

Layering: Building up complex prints by applying multiple layers of color and patterns, allowing previous layers to show through for added depth.

Masking: Employing stencils or hand-cut paper shapes as masks to create negative spaces and bold designs.

Texturing: Using textured objects like leaves, bubble wrap, stencils, combs, and even household items to create unique impressions in the paint.

Ghost Prints: Utilizing the residual paint left on the plate after pulling a print to create a lighter, more ethereal “ghost” image.

Image Transfer: Techniques for transferring photocopied or laser-printed images onto the Gelli plate and then onto paper or fabric.

Mark Making: Using various tools to draw directly into the wet paint on the plate, creating lines and patterns.

Botanical Printing: Capturing the delicate details of leaves and flowers by pressing them into the painted plate.

Gelli Printing Today: A Democratized Art Form

In the present day, Gelli plate printing continues to flourish as a popular and accessible art form:

Accessibility For All: Its ease of use and relatively low cost of entry make it appealing to artists of all skill levels, from young children exploring art for the first time to professional printmakers seeking new creative avenues.

Mixed Media Integration: Gelli prints are widely used in mixed media art, collage, art journaling, and card making, adding unique textures and patterns to a variety of projects.

Educational Tool: The quick and satisfying results of Gelli printing make it a valuable tool in art education, fostering creativity and experimentation.

Online Communities and Inspiration: A vibrant online community of Gelli plate artists shares techniques, ideas, and inspiration through social media platforms and online forums.

Continued Innovation: Artists continue to discover new and exciting ways to manipulate paint and materials on the Gelli plate, pushing the boundaries of this versatile technique.

Sustainable Art Practice: The reusability of the Gelli plate makes it a more sustainable option compared to some traditional printmaking methods.

From its accidental beginnings as a solution to a printmaker’s frustration, the Gelli plate has blossomed into a beloved and dynamic art form. Its ability to empower anyone to create unique and expressive monoprints ensures its continued popularity and its vibrant presence in the contemporary art and craft world. So grab a Gelli plate, some paint, and get ready to experience the simple joy of pulling your very own “jelly” print!

June 2, 2025