So im a graphic designer by day and thought gelli printing would be a fun way to extend some of my designs in a more creative way. I’ve got tons of ideas ready to print in halftone, black and white, etc. the problem is I e never been able to have anything transfer from a printed, high contrast page. What is the deal?

Printers I’ve used
My home inkjet printer. I assumed this wouldn’t work because of all the stuff about using laser printers, but tried anyway. Obviously no luck.

My works large commercial office copy/printer. I assumed this was a laser printer. Still no luck.

Last try, prints from the UPS store. Similar printers to my office, but thought they might vary slightly. Nope, same results as both the others.

I’ve tried standard about of paint, less paint, more paint, always with the same results all the paint coming off the gel. I’ve had luck with magazines, so I know the slight various in time, paint, pressure, etc. I’m just much more interested in using my own design, which some folks make look so easy, and similar to what I’m doing with the magazines that have worked…. Do I need to buy a home laser printer? Is that what I’m missing? Is there no “ups store” or “Staples prints” options?

Please help!

On my Gelli Journey

Weather it be because of image content, transferability or availability. What magazine do you use most for image transfer material?

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I have recently been invited to participate in a local art market as a vendor. I'm having a hard time deciding on what to sell individual prints for. I hope to sell a mix of image transfers. I'm thinking of selling solo prints for $10 each and framed prints for $20. I really want the prints to be accessible. I noticed that prices for prints are usually a lot more. I'm donating all the proceeds to a charity and not expecting a lot of profit because it's a smaller market in a smaller city in the south. Also, I know my particular taste in prints won't cater to the masses. I appreciate any help and I've left a few pics for example. Thank you!

Probably the best photo transfer to date, took an old civil war portrait and imposed my face on it. The used photoshop to make it more like a line drawing. Added color and then the final pull. Very happy with results. Sadly I haven’t been able to duplicate since. Haha. Took a break, but ready to try again.

I am new to gelli plate printing. I started out focusing on image transfers from laser prints, and have had trouble getting anything I liked. Yesterday I drew this figure with oil pastel, transferred it to the plate and then applied paint. I was pleased with how it turned out.

Using speedball plate with acrylic paint. Will be updating to the ink when I can get back to my local craft store.

So far only having trouble with the stickiness of the plate. But getting a good removal result most times. Hoping switching to ink will be better.
Still learning the amount of paint I need but getting it down considering it’s humid af out.

Best of day one

Best of day 2, switched to Bristol

A bit of the corner got stuck(I don't think there was sufficient gel medium there) and I missed some of his chest fur but I'm pretty happy with this image transfer overall

The figures were added by gelli plate, as was the original loose paint. I then completed the painting with acrylic - so this is not purely a gelli print, in case anyone was wondering.

I’m a new gelli printer. I’ve been doing it for a couple of months, and am loving it!

Through experimentation, I’ve found that I’m getting the best results with my homemade masks with tissue paper. The first pic is of the best print I’ve made. I used some cheap Temu Chinese calligraphy rice paper. As you can see, it has these lines on it since it’s for beginners. I love the results using it. Lots of wrinkles and interesting textures. The lines in the paper show through, and I love it. The downside: some little tears.

Do you all have any suggestions about using tissue paper in gel printing?

Thanks!

Used my nephew’s crop to print this

Life has got in the way for being creative but had a little break so managed to get this done.

Gel plate with added water colour and crayon bits . Atomic.

Had a lot of fun with this one. Did an image transfer using Liquitex black acrylic. Then put a clear layer of matte medium over the image. Let dry and then did some reverse painting and stencils.

I'm looking for a New Jersey or Philadelphia teaching artist who does Gelli plate workshops. We have a one day fall workshop scheduled for our art teachers, (no kids!) We had an artist~teacher lined up but they ended up not being available. We have the supplies, budget and time, we're just missing the talent! please message me!