What is the Gelli plate Printmaking? 

Gelli plate printmaking is a type of mono-printing where you use a soft, jelly-like printing plate to create layered prints with acrylic paint.

Gelli plate printing allows you to build a range of surfaces or layers on your plate. You can experiment with-

different colours

rough surfaces

leaves and other forms of nature

What is the Mono Printing? 

Mono printing (or monoprinting) is a printmaking technique where you create one unique print at a time.

Instead of carving into a surface like lino printing, you press paint onto a smooth gel plate and transfer the design onto paper.

Unlike other types of printmaking, you can’t make lots of identical copies. Each print is one of a kind.

Demonstration: 

• Demonstrate how to use the gelli plate. Remember the image is reversed when printed

• Demonstrate how to create layers and experiment with colours

• Discuss the cost and importance of being careful working on the gellipolate

Making the Gelli plate Print 

Independent task Printing: 

Step 1- Collect your materials for your printing

Step 2- Collect your coloured/ plain papers and label

Step 3- Start printing

Remember you need to wash the plate and all materials after pritning for the next person

Experimentation

1. • Students create multiple prints (at least  5 prints) 

   • Try different layers, materials, textures, colours, or papers

   • Try multi-coloured or textured prints by adding additional layers
     
     

5. Reflection & Annotation 

Students annotate in their sketchbook:

• What worked well?

• What could be improved? what did you learn? 

• How did materials or textures affect the final print?

Pack Up:

Wash the printing plates and put on the drying rack

Make sure all prints are on the drying rack

Wash and dry the tables

Demonstration: 

• Demonstrate how to use the gelli plate. Remember the image is reversed when printed

• Demonstrate how to create layers and experiment with colours

• Discuss the cost and importance of being careful working on the gellipolate

Tips: 

For all these forms of printing you need to make sure you have enough acrylic paint on the surface of the plate.

It stops the paper sticking to your design when you are rubbing the back and that the design is evenly revealed on your printing paper.