Gelli Arts® Gel Printed Envelopes by Martice Smith

Hello there! It’s Martice here sharing how to create gel printed envelopes packed with visual texture.

Let’s get started! 

I enjoy the process of creating wonderful backgrounds. Sometimes, I use them for collage fodder in my mixed-media paintings or, like in my last project, I created file folders from my gel printed scrap papers. You can see that tutorial here https://gelliartsblog.com/2021/04/08/golden-file-folders-with-gelli-arts-gel-printed-scraps-by-martice-smith/

STEP 1: CREATE YOUR MONOPRINTS

Monoprint a few papers or select a handful that you’ve already created. 

Make sure that both the front and back of each paper is painted.

Experiment with layering stencils, add some yarn to create fuzzy texture, or create an ombre effect with three different colors. The point is to have fun – there is no wrong way to play with the gel plate.

Check out the monoprints I created using stencils and a variety of texture-making tools. (Notice the white border along the edges of the papers? I don’t mind because I can go back in and add color or doodles. If it bothers you, you can trim the edges off before the next step.)

STEP 2: TRIM YOUR MONOPRINTS

Use a paper trimmer to cut the paper to the size envelope you want. I like the fun of creating envelopes in random sizes! (These are cool snail mail gifts for your art homies, too.)

STEP 3: SCORE YOUR MONOPRINTS

Use the 1-2-3 punch board to mark score lines onto your paper. 

STEP 4: FOLD ALONG SCORE LINES; APPLY TAPE

Use a bone folder to crease all of the folds on the envelope. 

Next, apply double-sided tape to secure the flaps in place

There are sooo many wonderful things you can make with your gel prints! Try this tutorial with your next set of scrap papers and be sure to tag us on Instagram using #gelliarts and @GelliArts – we love seeing your creations!

Happy printing!

-Martice

MATERIALS:

• 8×10 Gelli Arts® Gel Printing Plate (or larger, depending on what size envelopes you want to make)
• DecoArt Acrylic paints
• Texture-making tools (yarn, feathers, punchinella) 
• Stencils and texture plates 
• Card stock
• We R Memory Keepers 1-2-3 Punch board
• We R Memory Keepers Paper trimmer
• Bone folder
• Double-sided tape

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