Gaining in Confidence with the Gelli Plate….

Gaining in Confidence with the Gelli Plate….


When I started working with the Gelli Plate, it took a little while to get to grips with this new printing process. But little by little, I have worked out drying times with acrylic paints, layering up different colours, using stencils and masks to get depth and contrast.

Here’s one I did recently, on telly, but we ran out of time! Let me talk you through it slowly:

  • Place an 8×10 Gelli Plate on a sheet of the 8.5 x 11 Gelli Card. It’s just good white card, cut to fit the Gelli Plate.
  • Spread a layer of Pistachio Daler Rowney System 3 Acrylic Paint over the Gelli Plate with a Brayer.
  • Add some cut out hoops and circles from the Double Bubble Clarity Stencil “Spare bits”, which come in the bag! I cut mine up with scissors.
  • Leave these masks and bits on the plate when you pull the first print. This will give you a complete block.
  • Line up the card you want to print on with the card underneath the Gelli Plate. This is especially important, if, as is the case here, you are going to add other layers to the same piece.
  • Lay card on the wet Plate, rub the back of the card, to transfer the paint, and pull the first print off your Gelli Plate.
  • Write T for top at the top of the back of your piece and set to one side.
  • Spread a layer of Coeruleum Blue Daler Rowney System 3 Acrylic Paint over the Gelli Plate.
  • Add the cut out hoops and circles in different places.
  • Place the first print on the blue Gelli and pull the second layer.
  • Now add open Acrylic Magenta. Open paint means it will dry more slowly. You can either slow down the Daler Rowney Process Magenta drying time by adding slow drying gel medium, or you can use an already open acrylic paint, like the Golden brand. (expensive, but good).
  • Place the Ocean Swirl Stencil on the wet Magenta (I cut my stencil up!).
  • Add a few of the same hoops and circles here and there. 
  • Lay a piece of bubble wrap over the lot and press that pattern into place, too. Lift it off.
  • Leave the stencil pieces on the plate when you pull the 3rd layer.
  • I LOVE THIS PIECE OF ART WORK!!!
  • The Open acrylic will easily allow you to take a fabulous pink Ghost Print, too!

Triple-Layer Ocean Swirl Print

Ghost Print
I have been crafting and making cards for over 20 years. 
I have NEVER considered myself to be an Artist, just a crafter. 
Now, when I use the Gelli Plate, I often pull a print and then smile to myself. 
Because for the first time ever, I feel like a real artist. 
A REAL ARTIST. It’s a good feeling. 

20 thoughts on “Gaining in Confidence with the Gelli Plate….

  1. There is no doubt about your artistic talent, Barbara. The way you look at things show that you are a true artist, whatever you think about yourself. I love that ghost print – in fact, I think I like it more than the main print. The gelli plate is brilliant and I am dying to get back to playing with it again. Thank you for sharing your ideas with us – the sign of a true crafter. xx Maggie

  2. Thank you for the instructions! This is not something I've tried yet but I've watched you do it on C&C a couple of times now and always love your results. Must be brave and give it a go!

    Emma x

  3. This is an excellent demo and set of guidance for these lovely Gelli plate print love the technique. I spent the morning crafting with you and he new DVD. It is fantastic. Guess I will order the older ones. Happy Friday. Thanks for blogging.

  4. Hi Barbara,
    Beautiful work of art. Still haven't got passed the scary stage of trying my gelliplate. I could understand it if I was a novice crafter but I'm not. Think I've got a mental block. !!! X

  5. Great read today Barbara, and brilliant instructions too…..I can see this is going to become a daily treat for me….have a great weekend …hugs. Jo. X

  6. Loving this blog Barbara, your way of explaining things is as good as if you were on the tv showing us and talking us through what you are doing. Great idea and I love my Gelli Plates x

  7. Hi Barbara, I saw you this week using the gelli plate and instantly bought in along with the brayer, the house stencil and the sun rays stencil. Not sure what I am going to do with them yet but will be having a go after reading this.
    Kath x

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