There are few things more satisfying than pulling your first gel print. The squish of the plate, the surprise of the reveal, and the “what if I try this?” energy that comes with every layer. It’s no wonder gel printing has become a favorite for artists, teachers, and anyone who loves experimental printmaking.
At ASC, we’re big fans of the Gelli Arts plates, but you can gel print with a variety of materials we carry in-store. Whether you’re making fine art prints, layering textures for collage, or just want to let kids go wild with paint and shapes, this is one of those creative techniques that’s endlessly rewarding (and delightfully messy).
Getting Started: What You’ll Need
So, what exactly is a gel print? Think of it like mono-printing (a fancy way of saying “one-of-a-kind printmaking”). You roll paint across a soft gel plate, add textures or stencils, then press paper onto the surface to pull a print. Each one is unique — sometimes crisp and patterned, sometimes loose and layered — and that unpredictability is half the fun. Instead of worrying about “mistakes,” you’ll find yourself saying, “Whoa, that turned out cooler than I expected.”
Gel printing doesn’t require a ton of fancy gear, you can start with just a few basics:
- Gel Plate – We recommend Gelli Arts plates for consistent squish factor (and you know, nice bold prints)
- Acrylic Paint – Any of your favorite acrylics will work; experiment with thick, thin, metallic, or neon.
- Brayer – For spreading paint evenly.
- Paper – Try everything from copy paper to cardstock to specialty papers for different textures.
- Tools for texture – Think stencils, bubble wrap, combs, leaves, string. If it makes a mark, it’s fair game.
You’ll find all of this (and plenty more) on our shelves. If you’re brand new, we love walking people through building a quick starter kit. It’s cheaper and way less overwhelming than buying every single thing you might need at once.
Tutorials & How-To’s
We could try to explain every possible technique, but honestly? The folks at Gelli Arts have an amazing blog full of tutorials, videos, and project inspiration. From beginner basics to advanced layering techniques, they’ve got you covered. Go fall down that rabbit hole, we’ll be here when you come back, ready to help you pick the right paints and tools for whatever weird idea you want to try.
Kid-Friendly Printmaking Alternatives
Gel printing is great for kids, but if you want something even simpler (and less likely to result in paint-covered walls), try foam sheet printing. We carry Speedball foam sheets that kids can draw onto with a pencil, roll paint across, and then print onto paper. You can use your new “stamp” over and over. It’s a low-mess, super-fun way to introduce young artists to printmaking and the results are surprisingly cool. Pair it with washable paints and you’ve got a rainy afternoon project ready to go.
Pets + Gel Printing = Chaos (and Maybe Paw Prints)
A quick PSA from your friendly neighborhood art nerds: if you have curious cats or dogs, gel printing is basically an open invitation for them to “help.” The plates are squishy, the paint is colorful, and before you know it, you might have paw prints across your paper (and your floor). While this can be hilarious (and sometimes results in a very unique piece of art), it’s best to keep pets clear of your workspace or be ready to embrace accidental pet prints as part of the creative process.
Why We Love It
Gel printing is equal parts art and play. It’s unpredictable, forgiving, and endlessly customizable. You don’t need perfect technique or expensive supplies, you just need curiosity, a brayer, and some paint. Whether you’re layering textures for a mixed media project, making greeting cards, or letting kids experiment with pattern, gel printing has a way of sparking joy that keeps you coming back for more.
Come visit Art Supply Center and snag your gel printing supplies — Gelli Arts plates, Speedball foam sheets, brayers, inks, papers, and all the nerdy extras you’ll want once you fall in love with the process. We’ll even show you our favorite texture tools (spoiler: some of them are not what you would expect). When you’re done? Tag us @ArtSupplyCenter, so we can see all the cool prints you created!
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