What's the Best Paint for Gelli Plate Printing?
I'm sure you've seen those videos all over social media where they show perfect prints and perfect image transfers every single time. Well, first of all, that isn't realistic because no gelli artist gets it right every single time. Gel plate printing is so satisfying, yet definitely has a learning curve. I've tested hundreds of paints to determine which works best and you might be surprised by the results. If you're just getting started and want a comprehensive peek and insider tips and tricks, check out my free tutorial just for beginners. Ok, let's break it down!
Before we dive into the testing and paint questions, here is my list of the best supplies to get started with gelli plate printing. I've updated this article dozens of times as I discover new products that work well!
I’ve done a full study on the best all around acrylic paints, but these are specific to the gel plate. Check out the full article here. Since initially starting gelli printing, my experience has led me to favor a few brands over others. However, I recommend that when you are just starting out to experiment with different brands. These are my top five favorites in order:
Golden Acrylic (this specific one)
Hobby Lobby full body paint (Hobby Lobby has a rotating sale, so wait until it is 40% off)
Winsor and Newton (I prefer their pastels, but all work great)
Liquitex Acrylics (surprisingly, I like this one more than their heavy body for the gel plate)
Michaels brand (I only like this one, not the student grade)
In addition to the paints listed above, you can get a really nice effect with inexpensive craft paints mixed with higher quality paints like liquitex basics. You can also use fabric paints on the gel plate surface. Definitely experiment with your printing surface!
Whether you're a curious beginner or you've been playing with brayers and stencils for a while, the paint you choose can make or break your print. In this post, we’ll dive into what types of paint work best for Gelli plates, the differences between brands and consistencies, and how to pick the right one based on your style and goals.
Let’s get rolling (literally)!
What kinds of paints work best on a gelli plate?
Acrylic paint is the best paint for gel plate printing.
The reason acrylic paint works best on a gel plate is because it is able to grip onto both the surface of the gel plate as well as onto the paper. It transfers easily, dries quickly, has low or no odor and is available at a range of price points. Plus, it is water based and oil will not print well since oil is what is used to remove the paint when your gel plate gets dirty. See more about cleaning your gel plate in this post.
Now that we've established that you'll want to use a water-based paint only, here are some other ways you can add pigment to your gel press:
Pan pastels
Acrylic paint pens (like Posca)
Alcohol Inks
Fluid Acrylics
Definitely experiment and see what works well for you!
Student vs. Artist Grade Acrylics
There are two main categories of acrylic paint you’ll find in stores. While there are lots of other options, these are the two most commonly found at your standard craft store. However, if you venture into Blick or a more artist-specific store, you will find other options like Gauche and mediums. For gel plate printing, you will not need guache. If you want to understand why quality matters with gel plate printing, check out this post where I tested over 40 different paints to determine which ones work best. I had some really good discoveries!
Student grade:
Student grade paint will work on gel plates and is a good way for beginners to get started with their very first print. However, even if you have a great print, they don't produce as vibrant colors as higher quality acrylics. They sometimes will dry with a chalky finish which can be unpleasant to the touch. For kids, this will make beautiful prints and are a great way to expose kids to gelli prints without spending too much money. You can also add some higher quality paint to student grade paints for a slight improvement in quality. I like to use student grade acrylics when I am trying out a new technique and haven't mastered it yet. For those starting out, budget student grade craft paints like apple barrel work well when learning different techniques. But you will want to move on from that as soon as you are hooked!
Student grade pros:
Inexpensive
Great for experimenting and layering
Often softer and easier to spread
Student grade cons:
dries chalky
has inconsistent results
drying time is very fast
Artist grade:
Artist grade paints contain more pigment and less water. This makes them the better choice for consistent first pulls. While these are more expensive than student grade craft paints, you will need less paint so at the end of the day, if you are able to get artist grade paints at a very affordable price, go for it! Track the sales at your local art supply store - they are always running promotions.
Artist Grade Pros:
easy to bray onto the plate without much paint
yield the best results
can achieve different shades or midtown color easily via mixing
are better for those who want to sell their works of art (dry glossy)
Artist Grade Cons:
More expensive
May be too thick for delicate stencils without thinning
Bottom line? If you’re just getting started, student-grade paints are totally fine. But over time, you will get more beautiful results with artist grade paints.
Paint consistency is key
Paint consistency is always important, but the paint consistency on the original gel plate is even more important. Using a simple technique can be a total game changer for consistent results. I like to add a large sized chocolate chip amount of high quality paint to my Gelli Arts printing plate (8x10). I bray in several different directions. If you see little peaks and texture on your plate, you have too much wet paint on the surface and you will not have a successful pull. Over time with gel plate printing, you will notice that when the consistency on the plate is good, the brayer will make a different sound. Pay attention to that an you'll get a feel for it over time - I promise!
What paint alternatives can I use?
While acrylic paint is what I use most in my studio, I also love experimenting with the following:
water-soluble printmaking inks
alcohol inks
acrylic paint pens
fluid acrylics for a more glass finish
Image Transfers & Paint: What Actually Works?
You'll have to see my full post on image transfers with your gel plate. I gave away all of my trade secrets and I am excited for you to try it!
My go-to picks for image transfers:
Golden Acrylic (this specific one)
How do you clean your gel plate?
Cleaning your gel plate is entirely up to you. Often times I just continue to print on my "loved" gel plates. However, I've broken down everything you need to know about cleaning your gel plate in this post. For a quick cleaning, you will want to lean on wipes. While most gelli artists prefer baby wipes, I recently discovered that these actually work much better.
Other materials you might need for gelli plate printing
gel printing plate (comes in a clamshell package for easy storage)
paper towel
laser printer (this printer has been a workhorse for me)!
copy paper (this brand works best)
smooth watercolor paper or cardstock (preferably cardstock)
natural materials such as feathers, leaves, flowers
table covering (to protect your work surface)
painter's tape
brayer
acrylic water-based paints (see my favorites above): you can use standard paints, fluid paints, rubber stamp inks and more)
stencils
mild soap
deli paper
As always, this post contains affiliate links.
