Why you should start gel plate printing today…
Have you ever seen those colorful, textured papers that look layered, painterly, and just a little bit magical? Chances are, they were made with a gel plate.
Gel plate printing is one of those art techniques that looks complicated at first glance but is actually incredibly easy— and wildly addictive.
If you’ve been curious about gel plate printing, here are a few reasons why you should give it a go— spoiler: you don’t need much to get started…
1. IT’S INSTANT GRATIFICATION 🎨
Some art forms require hours of prep, drying time, or practice before you see results. Gel plate printing isn’t like that. Roll on some paint, press down a sheet of paper, pull it up—and you’ve got something unique and beautiful in your hands.
Even your “mistakes” turn out interesting. Sometimes the surprise results are better than what you planned.
👉 Want to see this in action? I walk you through your first print step by step in my FREE mini-class, First Impressions. Click the button below to sign up…
2. IT’S PERFECT FOR BEGINNERS (AND BEYOND)
You don’t need to know how to draw, paint, or even think of yourself as “artistic.” The process does most of the work for you. At the same time, gel plate printing is endlessly deep—artists who’ve been doing it for years are still discovering new techniques.
That means it grows with you. Whether you’re brand-new or more experienced, gel plate printing has something to offer.
3. YOU CAN USE WHAT YOU ALREADY HAVE
One of the best things about gel plate printing is that you don’t need fancy supplies. A gel plate, some acrylic paint, a brayer (roller), and paper—that’s it.
For textures, you can grab bubble wrap, stencils, leaves, string, or even the end of a cotton swab. Everyday items suddenly become mark-making tools.
4. IT PLAYS WELL WITH OTHER ART FORMS
Gel prints are amazing on their own, but they’re also a fantastic foundation for other creative projects.
• Cut them up for collage.
• Use them as backgrounds in art journals.
• Layer them into mixed-media paintings.
• Turn them into handmade cards or wrapping paper.
Once you have a stack of prints, you’ll see possibilities everywhere.
5. IT’S FUN. LIKE, REALLY FUN!
Gel plate printing has that childlike joy factor—you roll, press, peel, and *ta-da!* It’s playful, surprising, and a little addictive (in the best way).
If you’ve been feeling stuck or uninspired in your art, gel plates are an easy way to shake things up.
READY TO MAKE YOUR FIRST PRINTS?
The best way to understand gel plate printing is to just try it. You don’t need to set aside a whole afternoon—just a few minutes is enough to get started.
That’s why I created First Impressions, a free 12-minute mini-class that shows you everything you need to know to pull your first prints.
👉 Click to sign up for First Impressions — it’s free and beginner-friendly…
