Masking fluid provides unique and creative possibilities for printing with Gelli®. Watch this video to see how it works!
Masks are used as a barrier between the paint on the gel plate and the printing paper. The purpose is to block the transfer of paint from the plate to the paper in selective areas.
It’s easy to cut a paper mask to the shape you want to block out on your print — or use a found object or stencil as a mask. (See previous blog tutorial for more information on using paper masks!)
But what if you want to mask handwriting, or a gestural line, or drawn symbols, or small random marks?
That’s when using masking fluid is the way to go!
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| Gelli print with masked marks |
Masking fluid (also called liquid frisket) is a fluid solution that dries to a rubbery film. It creates a barrier — and paint applied over it is easily removed by peeling it off.
Watercolorists use masking fluid for preserving selective areas of the white of the paper — or for preserving areas in a layer of color that will be painted over.
Good news! Masking fluid can be used for gel printing too!
You can apply masking fluid directly to your unprinted paper.
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| Masking fluid preserves areas of the white of the paper in a Gelli® print
When applied onto a printed layer — masking fluid will preserve the color under it.
Masking fluid applied over a printed layer preserves the color of that layer These steps explain the process:
1. Pull a print to add color to the paper. (This is the color you’ll see when the mask is removed) 2. When the print is completely dry, apply the masking fluid to the paper. |
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| Masking fluid applied over a Gelli print
3. Allow the masking fluid to dry completely! Thin areas dry quickly, but thick areas or blobs can take a while.
4. When the mask is completely dry — you can print on the paper as usual. |
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| Dry masking fluid on Gelli® print
5. You can print multiple layers over the masking fluid! The mask can be removed even when there’s quite a bit of paint covering it! |
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| Several layers printed over dry masking fluid
IMPORTANT: The print must be completely dry before the next step. 6. When the paint is fully dry, gently rub the mask off the paper. You can use a rubber cement pick-up, or gently rub with a clean finger to remove it. The stretchy, rubbery mask will ball up and can be pulled off. |
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| The print is dry and ready for the masking fluid to be peeled off
Important Information and Tips for Using Masking Fluid:
For success with masking fluid … always keep in mind:
The print must be completely dry before you remove the masking fluid.
And one more fun thing … after you pull a print, the relief from the dry masking fluid can sometimes leaves a nice imprint in the paint left on the gel plate. Quickly pull that ghost print for another cool image! And the ghost is right-reading! (See previous blog tutorial for more information on Ghost Printing!)
Have fun exploring the creative possibilities using masking fluid with gel printing. Consider it another great tool for making your mark!
And now we have a SPECIAL GIVEAWAY to get you excited about using masking fluid … on our NEW 8” ROUND GELLI® PLATE!!!
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What a fun idea. Thanks for having this contest and giving us a chance to win fabulous prizes. 🙂 Have a great Turkey Day.
I love my plate and the techniques are endless.. thanks.
Love your fast and so full of instruction videos. I could just sit and watch them all day! Never would have thought of using the Masking Fluid. Such a cool idea! This site is truly one the best for inspiration ever. Thanks for sharing with us. :0)
Thank you for your great creativity and offers!
Very interesting. I just saw some gorgeous cards made by using the Gelli Plate and I checked into the website to learn more. Would love to actually win one!
What a very cool technique! This is one I really have to try. Thanks for a chance to win a great gift.
This looks like something I'll have to try!
What a generous prize! I would love to try this and haven't used a Gelli yet, so the circle one would be my first! Would definitely like to incorporate this Gelli art into my card making!
Oh My. Gosh! I learn so much about the Gelli Plate from your videos! This one is very exciting! Masking fluid! Wow!
I love the look of the new round Gelli Plate! Thank you for the chance to win one! I have my fingers crossed! Good luck everyone!
Thanks for the chance to win such a great give away! Looks like a very fun technique.
Susan Libertiny
My 7 year old daughter and I bond over making gelli prints – we can't to try this technique!!
I have to get a round plate! It makes such a great statement on the rectangular paper! Thanks for the opportunity to win!
What a great idea!!! I have a lot of masking fluid that I don't use and this would be a great reason to dig it out! Thanks for the tip!!
How I love Gelli and How I would love to Win. Gail Larsen
Ooh! I need to try this!
rlam at umn dot edu
I just received my first gelli plate and am learning to use it. These blog posts make me excited to try new techniques. I'd love to win the round plate!
Can't wait to try this! So many ideas . . .
Oh, I love the look of this technique! I must give it a try. I would LOVE a round gelli plate! Thanks for the chance! 🙂
Love Gelli Printing! Can't wait to try this new technique!!!
I love my Gelli Plate, and I'm so excited by all the fabulous techniques you keep coming up with -this masking technique is so cool
love
Lynne
A wonderful give away. I am so ready to win. Thank you for this opportunity Susann
The use of masking fluid is brilliant. I love masking fluid and am always looking for new ways to use it.
Brilliant idea! Thanks for the generous giveaway… LOVE your blog and your products!
– Serena
Incredible Technique!! I have to try this!! Please include me in your give-away…..how I would LOVE this plate! The possibilities……………….
Happy Turkey Day!! :O)
this looks like so much fun ! Would love to try it ! want to make my own scrap paper yeah
OMGosh! Love, love, love this!
love to have even more fun!
The more I see how versatile Gelli Plates are, the more I want one. I'm so pleased that they are now available in the UK so I can put them on my Christmas wish list.
This sounds like so much fun!
This looks like so much fun! Thanks for the great video and a chance to win!
This looks sooooooo cool. Would love to win this and try out the technique.
<3 J
jwoolbright at gmail dot com
Wow! another great idea Thanks!
Ok so I convinced myself I did not need the circle plate, Thank you very much for changing my mind!! This would be a great win!! Thanks Jean
Oh FUN!! A new thing to try out–I can't wait!!
Barb Alexander
Loved, loved, loved this technique!! Just arrived my 8" plate so now I NEED to play!!!
The masking fluid looks like a great new tool to have for gelli printing. I would really like the chance to try it and the new round gelli plate.
Love my Gelli plate. The video is great. I'll be getting the mask fluid out!
Thanks
I enjoyed the video of how to print with masking fluid, and I just ordered some so I can try it with my Gelli plates. I am in the midst of making printed gifts for the holidays, and this will give me one more idea for creative print-making. Thanks for spurring my creativity!
Thanks for the new idea. I love finding new ways to use my Gelli plates.
I love to use frisket with my watercolours. Now it would be fantastic to win a gelli plate to play on it, too!
I love playing!! I also love learning new ways of artistic expression!! Thanks for the opportunity to open my playing field!!
We use the Miskit at our arts center for watercolor and didn't even think about using it for printing. Can't wait to try it
Someone has probably already mentioned it, but another great type of tool for applying masking fluid are the silicone tools – ColourShapers, Catalyst, etc. The dried fluid can just be rubbed off and they make really interesting marks. Thanks for another great blog post!
It's a wonderfully generous giveaway, but the chances of me winning are quite remote However I have to say that I LOVE Gelli printing and am grateful for the tutorial and all the info this blog provides. Will be giving this technique a go to make Xmas paper.
Wow..this looks like a ton of fun! Thanks for the awesome giveaway.
Joanne
Craftyhodges@gmail.com
great idea to use the frisket. gjeneve@gmail.com
I would love to have the round plate to give me a different look from the other two. Hope I get lucky.
I LOVE all the wonderful textures this technique creates! I'd love to try it 🙂
My mother had something like the Gelli plate when I was a kid. I've looked for it all my life. I'm so excited to see this. And using this masking would make it so easy. I really hope to win. Rebecca Bodine
I love the look of the new round plate. So many creative possibilities!