Gel plate printing is a monoprinting technique where you apply acrylic paint to a soft, jelly-like plate, add textures or stencils, and press paper on top to transfer the design. It requires minimal supplies and guarantees unique, one-of-a-kind results.  

Essential Supplies for Gel Printing  

  • Gel Plate: The “jelly” surface used to hold and transfer paint. A 5×7 or 8×10 inch plate is ideal for beginners.  
  • Acrylic Paint: Fluid or soft-body acrylics work best, though standard craft acrylics are a great starting point. 
  • Brayer: A soft rubber roller used to spread the paint into a thin, smooth layer. 
  • Printmaking Paper: Standard copy paper, watercolor paper, or thin cardstock. 
  • Mark-Making Tools: Household items like bubble wrap, stamps, twine, combs, and stencils. 

5 Easy Techniques for Beginners 

1. The Direct Brayer Method 

The simplest way to start is by rolling the paint.  

  • Squeeze a small amount of acrylic paint onto the gel plate. 
  • Use the brayer to roll the paint in one direction until it is smooth and suede-like (avoid rolling back and forth, as this creates streaks). 
  • Place a sheet of paper on top, gently smooth it out with your hands, and peel it off to reveal a solid color monoprint. 

2. Texture & Mark-Making 

Transform flat prints by adding textures.  

  • After rolling out a smooth layer of paint, press found objects into the wet paint (e.g., bubble wrap, lace, leaves, or crumpled paper). 
  • Remove the objects, revealing a negative impression in the paint. 
  • Lay your paper on top, press, and pull to reveal a highly textured print.  

3. Stencils & Masks 

Stencils are a fool-proof way to create defined shapes.  

  • Roll out a thin layer of paint, then place a stencil flat on the plate. 
  • Place a piece of paper on top, and pull the print. The paint blocked by the stencil won’t transfer, leaving behind a crisp shape. 
  • Alternatively, use a “mask” (the solid piece cut out of a stencil) to block out an area of paint before laying down a second color for beautiful, layered contrast.  

4. Ghost Prints 

Double your art supplies with this technique. 

  • After pulling your first print, you will notice there is still a thin, dried layer of paint left on the gel plate. 
  • Instead of cleaning the plate, place a fresh sheet of paper on top, press, and pull. 
  • This “ghost print” often picks up subtle, vintage-looking details and the leftover textures from your previous run.  

5. Simple Layering 

Layering adds depth and dimension to gel prints.  

  • Create a simple textured print using a light, transparent color, and let it dry on the paper. 
  • Apply a second, contrasting color (opaque is great here) to the gel plate, add a new stencil, and print directly over your first design. 

Tips for Success 

  • Less is More: Too much paint will cause your brayer to slip and result in a muddy, wet mess. Aim for a thin layer where you can still see the plate through the paint.  
  • Paper Matters: While copy paper works, high-quality printing papers and mixed media papers yield richer, more vibrant pulls.  
  • Cleanup: Gel plates are easy to clean with just a baby wipe or a damp cloth. However, avoid using sharp or pointed tools that might scratch the soft surface.