Stamping with Gelli® Plates

The new 3″x5″ Gelli® plate is so versatile! Watch this video and see how easy and fun it is to use it as a stamp!

As you can see… the smallest Gelli® plate doubles nicely as a monoprinting plate and a stamping surface!

All you need to do is press the 3″x5″ Gelli® plate onto a smooth, flat plastic or acrylic surface — like an old CD case or acrylic stamping block — and you’re good to go. It’s that easy!

3”x5” Gelli® plate on the lid of a CD case

TIP: If you’re using a CD case, it’s best to take it apart and use the smooth front cover by itself. Or, simply flip the case open when you press it to your substrate. If not, you may find there’s a bit too much ‘give’ in the empty closed case when you stamp with it, and the plastic can crack if you press too hard.

3”x5” Gelli® plate on a 5”x7” acrylic stamp mount

Inexpensive acrylic box frames, available at art and craft stores, are another source for excellent Gelli® plate mounts. Here’s a 3”x5” Gelli® plate on a 5”x7” acrylic box frame — ready to use!

Look for small plastic storage boxes with smooth surfaces or lids that the Gelli® plate will stick to. Do not stick (or leave) the plate on a surface that has a texture or dimensional logo or pattern in the plastic, as that can imprint into the Gelli® plate surface.

3”x5” Gelli® plate on a lid of a small smooth plastic storage box

As an alternative, try using a piece of acrylic, plexiglass, styrene or glass that’s slightly larger than your Gelli® plate. To keep things safe, apply duct tape to cover the sharp edges.

Once your Gelli® plate is stuck to whatever base you’ve selected, you’re ready to use it as a stamp! The bond created between the Gelli® plate and the ‘mount’ is temporary. You can easily peel the plate off the mount at any time and print with it in the conventional way.

Here’s how to stamp with your Gelli® Plate:

Apply acrylic paint to the gel plate, roll it into a thin smooth layer with a brayer — and make your marks in the paint. Then flip the whole thing over and press the plate onto the printing surface of your choice. This creates a monoprinted image that’s stamped onto your substrate. It’s a fun alternative method for printing with the Gelli® plate. And remember, the image you create on your plate will print in reverse, like any stamp!

You can use masks and stencils in combination with the stamping technique. The easiest way is to place the mask or stencil directly on your substrate and stamp the painted Gelli® plate right over it!

Using a clear mount allows for accurate placement of your monoprinted image! Add stamped monoprints to sketchbook pages, art journals, larger works, fabric pieces and more!

The following pages are from a small art journal filled with Gelli® plate-stamped images:

I like to roll the excess paint from my brayer onto sketchbook pages. Those pages are wonderful beginnings — and stamping additional layers over them with the 3″x5″ Gelli® plate is a fast and fun way to add interest to those pages. 

Be experimental and try different techniques! This is the perfect opportunity to play with different color combinations!

Stamping is one more fun and easy way to use a Gelli® plate… so go ahead and give it a try!!

Have fun… and Happy Printing!