JAZZED WITH GEL PRINTS
PAT MONTAGUE SMITH
MAKE ORIGINAL MONOPRINTS WITHOUT THE EXPENSE OF A PRESS
Gelatin printing is a fun, inexpensive printing process that anyone can
do. It can be used for fine art, crafting, scrapbooking and so much
more. It encourages creativity and the use of unexpected materials from
everyday life. It is also a great project to do with all ages. This workshop
is for those with little to no experience with gelatin printing
and will give a good overview of the skills needed for future
experimentation at home. Also for those experienced but want to see a
different approach to the process. This process is excellent for those
who do not have access to a press or have limited time and finances.
Gelatin printing is a form of monoprinting in which a gelatin slab is used as a printing `plate’ in
conjunction with standard water soluble printing inks to create images. Very little pressure is required
to make monoprints using this technique. No press is required and the basic materials are
inexpensive, nontoxic, and clean up with water. With real gelatin, the plate is somewhat moist so the
ink remains a little longer giving you more time to work, and more prints per single ink application.
The flexibly/wiggly of actual gelatin allows for objects to get sort of embedded in the ink, which makes
for a very detailed monoprint and ghost image.
RECIPE AND SIZE OF PAN
First decide what size pan you wish to use.
Measure how many cups of water it takes to fill the pan to the desired thickness (1”)
RECIPE RATIO
Two to three tablespoons (one package of Knox @ 1 tablespoon) of gelation per cup of liquid (divided
between glycerin and hot water ½ cup glycerin and ½ cup water).
SAMPLE PLATE RECIPE FOR A 9”X13” PAN
8 to 12 (For me more Gelatin works best!) Pack’s of Knox Gelatin, 2 cups of glycerin and 2
cups hot water.
1. Pour 2 cups of glycerin into a bowl then sprinkle 8 packs of gelation into the bowl.
2. Add 2 cups of hot (boiling) water, gently stir until gelatin is dissolved.
3. Slowly pour gelatin mixture into the pan. If foam appears on top of the mix, remove it by skimming
(dragging) the top of the mix with a paper towel or piece of paper and discard.
4. Allow to sit for at least an hour on a flat surface. (I let it sit overnight.)
When gelatin plate gets old, tattered, or torn pick up gelatin plate cut or tear into small pieces.
Place it into a microwavable safe bowl and reheat a minute or so while stirring the mixture. When it
becomes liquid and smooth reuse! I also add more gelation to the re mix if gel plate didn’t hold up as
expected
USING FOUND OBJECTS, MATERIALS, AND STENCILS
You can get great shapes and images with cloth, cheesecloth, string, thread, fishing line, lace, paper,
leaves, flowers, weeds, twigs, grass, feathers, stamps, etc.,
Remember if using letters or words you must reverse the letters or words because you are printing a
reverse image. Using stencils handmade or store bought create additional interest to your prints.
PRINTING TOOLS AND SUPPLIES
I recommend Dick Blick products with Gel Printing
 Water-soluble Inks @$12.00 for 16 oz. A little goes a long way, good colors and coverage
without over inking, cleans up easily
 Inovart Soft Rubber Brayers @$7.00 each economical, long lasting, snaps apart for easy
cleaning
 White Drawing Paper #80 lb.
 Kraft Paper Pads – love the natural darker paper against the ink
 Newsprint for lift offs – to remove leftover paint
 Paint brushes and scrapers
 Baby wipes or wet cloth and a spray bottle with water for clean up
PRINTING
I use a Plexiglas sheet for my printing palette. Place a small mound of ink in an area with a plastic
knife. Roll into the ink with the soft brayer and roll several passes of the ink onto the Plexiglas. You
want to the ink thin. Too much ink will ruin your print.
Lightly roll the ink onto the gelatin plate or you will damage the plate. LIGHTLY… The palte may
not look like it has enough ink on it but it does.
Lightly lay and press your images onto the surface of the inked gelatin. You are gently pressing
into the ink not the gelatin.
For the MONOPRINT/NEGATIVE IMAGE place the paper over the objects and gently rub the
back of your paper. Remove the paper and you will have a negative(silhouetted) image.
For the MONOPRINTGHOST IMAGE/POSITIVE IMAGE remove the objects from the gelatin
plate place the paper down onto the plate and gently rub the back of your paper. You will pick up the
detailed positive image of your objects.
EXPERIMENTAL PRINTING TECHNIQUES
Collage printing and layered printing – multiple prints on a single piece of paper, or different prints into a
single composition, or layered image by over printing.
Print negative images in top of positive images and vice –versa.
Apply ink to an object before pressing it onto the gelation plate.
Different types of paper will absorb ink differently and reflect the technique differently
Experiment with different inks, paints, and dyes.
Apply ink on the surface with a paint brush like a traditional monoprint.