Beautiful Image Transfers on Gelli� Printed Backgrounds!

Hello everyone! My name is Birgit Koopsen and I feel honored to be guest blogging here on the Gelli Arts blog!

Today I will show you how to use your Gelli� printed backgrounds for beautiful, colorful image transfers. 

Watch my video to get started � written instructions are below!

We start by printing a bunch of backgrounds using an 8x10 Gelli� printing plate. 

First, pick your colors.

If you want bright and vibrant colors (like on my prints) then stay away from dark colors like black, dark blue, dark green and so on. Add in one or 2 neon colors for extra vibrancy.

Then, decide which tools you want to use to create marks, patterns and texture.

I went to the DIY store and got myself one of those fluffy paint rollers, big enough to hold the tube of a toilet paper roll. Then I covered toilet roll tubes with bubble wrap, punchanella and pieces of self-adhesive craft foam. These are perfect to create ongoing patterns on the Gelli� plate and so much fun to make! I also used the inside of a chocolate box and I just love the square grid that it creates on my prints. In addition to these, I used stencils and a texture plate from CarabelleStudio.

Now you are ready to start printing, and you know how it is when you start Gelli� printing, right?! It is impossible to make just one print so make sure you have a nice stack of paper on hand ?

I�m using 200gr. cold press watercolor paper which I think is the perfect paper to do image transfers on.

Just create a bunch of random colorful backgrounds, start with color only, no patterns yet. I usually start with covering my backgrounds with 2 or 3 light colors like yellow, pink and orange and then later add patterns in darker colors, this way you will keep the light colors vibrant.

If you would, for instance, print a translucent yellow on top of a darker blue or green then it will lose the vibrancy. Then, once I have a nice stack of printed papers, I move on to doing patterns, marks, and texture, but I make sure to leave some spaces open for the image transfers. Especially when you do portraits � it is not always nice to have bold patterns in the face.

The pictures below show the fun results of using the handmade texture rolls and the chocolate box:

I love using stencils on my prints, but in general not in the first layer of print. To create the look on the picture below I add paint to the Gelli� plate, put a stencil on top and then make a print (usually on scrap paper) to remove most of the paint that is in the open spaces of the stencil, but not all of it. Then I remove the stencil and pull the final print on my background.

To create the image transfer you need laser prints or photo copies (inkjet does not work well with this technique), gel medium (I prefer Liquitex Matte Medium because it is so fluid and smooth and easy to work with), a soft brush, a bank or gift card, paper towels, baby wipes, a bowl of water and of course your beautiful Gelli� prints.

Steps for Image Transfer:

1. Pick one of your favorite backgrounds.
2. Cut out the picture you want to use.
3. Apply a thin layer of matte medium to both the background and the right side of the picture
4. Place the picture, right side down on the background.
5. Use the bank card to remove any excess matte medium and air bubbles from the picture
6. Let it dry..... (patience!)
7. Once the background is dry, use water and your fingers to rub away all the paper
8. Finally, cover the image with a thin layer of matte medium

Watch the video again to see the process, it is really not that complicated!

When the image transfer is done, you can work on your page as on any other art journal page. You can stamp, paint, draw and write on it. The transfer is water resistant so you can use whatever medium you like.

I finished my page using stamps from the �Round and Round� set that I designed for Carabelle Studio, splattering and some handwritten text.

I stamped the circles on a separate Gelli� print and cut them out, then glued them to my page.

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED!!!!

Our Winner is T. Dickson!

Check out our fabulous giveaway! 
One lucky winner will win all the following supplies 
to try this technique on their own!

• (1) 8x10 Gelli Printing Plate
• (1) Speedball 4" soft rubber brayer
• (1) Jar of Liquitex Matte Medium
• (1) Amsterdam Standard Series Acrylics, Set of 24 20ML 
• (1) Carabelle Round on Round Stamp designed by Birgit Koopsen
• (1) Carabelle Triangle Mesh Mask designed by Birgit Koopsen
• (1) Carabelle Texture Plate
• (1) Carabelle Circles Mask

To enter the giveaway, click on the red "ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE" button below! (This will ensure that we can contact the winner and that entries are limited to one per person. One winner will be selected from all the entries via a random number generator to receive this very special giveaway!) Entries will be accepted until Tuesday, May 24th at noon EST. Our lucky winner will be contacted by email and announced here on the blog and on our Facebook page no later than Wednesday, May 25th at noon EST. 

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED!!!!

Thank you so much for stopping by! I really hope you enjoyed this tutorial and I would love to see what you create!

Birgit x

PS: Please�share your prints with us on our Facebook page, or on Instagram using the hashtag #gelliprint #gelliarts and #gelliplate. Tag us with @gelliarts on Instagram and Twitter too! We love to see what you're creating!!

Remember, we now have Gelli partners all over the world, so it's easier than ever to find a Gelli retailer near you!

Happy Printing from all of us at Gelli Arts!

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Gelli� Printing Tutorials�5 Fab Techniques Revisited!

The sphere of people learning about and using Gelli� printing plates keeps increasing�and more and more people of all ages and levels of art experience are discovering the joy of mono printing.

I'd like to welcome those new to the Gelli� printing process � and thank those of you who have been following this blog along the way � by reintroducing some of the most popular techniques I've demonstrated here.

If you're looking to expand your base of techniques, learn some new fun exercises in Gelli printing, or refresh your memory on various processes, take a look at the following videos!

Gelli� Printing in Painterly Layers

The painterly approach to monotypes can range from loose and spontaneous to structured and carefully planned...and everything in between. In other words�this technique is for everyone!!

Gelli� Printing�Faux Chine Coll�

Chine coll� is a printmaking technique where lightweight paper is adhered to heavier paper as it's passed through a press with an inked plate. The result is a print on a collage. Watch this video to see how this process can be adapted for Gelli printing! Then get ready to print on fragile papers, brittle book pages, or other thin, delicate papers!

Gelli� Printing with Styrofoam Plates

Here's a great way to repurpose styrofoam plates to use in monoprinting! This video shows how easy and fun it is to turn styrofoam plates into reusable texture plates with your own designs!

Thick and Thin Gelli� Printing
Watch what happens when you roll a layer of thick paint over a thin one... for a unique way to create a layered multicolor Gelli� print in one pull! If you're fascinated with unpredictable paint interactions � you'll want to explore this FUN technique!

Gelli� Transfer Film Prints

Gelli� plates have a unique surface that allows you to pull monotypes on clear adhesive film, like packing tape! You won't believe how easy this technique is! Just takes a little patience to let the paint dry completely on the plate before printing.

There you have it! Plenty of inspiration to get you going! What a great way to start your creative New Year!!

And to all of our Gelli enthusiasts � best wishes from all of us at Gelli Arts for peace, joy and an artful journey in 2016!

Please�share your prints with us on our Facebook page, or on Instagram using the hashtag #gelliplate #gelliarts or #gelliprint. Feel free to tag us with @gelliarts on Instagram and Twitter too! We love to see what you're creating!!

Remember, we now have Gelli partners all over the world, so it's easier than ever to find a Gelli retailer near you!

Have Fun and Happy Printing! 

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Gelli Transfer Prints!

Gelli plates have a unique surface that allows you to pull monotypes on clear adhesive film! Watch this video and see how easy it is to do!

For this fun and easy technique you'll need:

• Gelli Arts Gel Printing Plate
• Acrylic paint (fast drying paint is best for this technique)
• Brayer
• Texture tools 
• Clear packing tape 
• Bone folder (optional)

NOTE:  Packing tape has its size limitations. If you want to make a larger or full-size print, use cold laminating film. Clear Con-Tact paper will also work, but it's not as "clear" or shiny as tape or laminating film.

Here's the process:

• Apply acrylic paint to your Gelli plate. Use a brayer to roll into a thin layer.
• Use texture tools to remove areas of paint from the plate. Clear areas provide interesting collage and gilding opportunities!          
• Foam stamps, scrapers and combs are great for removing areas of paint. Use cotton swabs to draw lines and make dots.
• NOTE:  The print will look exactly like what is on your plate � not reversed!
• So take your time and have fun developing the image on your plate! To add more layers, let the paint from the previous layer dry first � so the paint doesn't lift as you add more.

• When you're done creating your image, allow the paint to dry completely. Yes!
• NOTE: This technique only works when the paint is TOTALLY DRY!

• Place packing tape � STICKY SIDE DOWN � onto the dry paint

• Burnish to transfer paint (a bone folder is helpful). Slowly peel the film off of the plate. Voil�!

This Gelli transfer print below is being pulled 

on cold laminating film, instead of packing tape.

What a fun way to clean your plate!

TIP:  If there are areas of paint that didn't transfer, replace the 

tape and burnish again. If the paint was completely dry, most 

(if not all) of the paint will transfer to the tape.

At this point, you can choose to use your Gelli transfer tape in your journal, collage, ATC's, cardmaking, art quilting etc. 

OR... you can continue with the following steps :)

NEXT... Embellish your Gelli Transfer Tape

The areas that are clear will still be sticky from the adhesive on the tape. You can use this sticky area to add further interest to your print! See some great options below!

• Option 1: Brush Perfect Pearls (mica powder) onto the sticky areas for a fabulous effect!  
• The clear areas will become opaque and sparkle with a metallic look! 
• Option 2: Metal leaf will also adhere to the clear sticky areas.  
• TIP:  Keep metal leaf away from your Gelli plate to avoid loose and flyaway bits from sticking to it :) 
• Option 3: You can also add collage elements under the print to peek through the paint. Text adds a great layered look!

Remember, the shiny side of the tape is the print (right) side. You've been embellishing the back!

If the tape is too shiny for your taste, lightly sand the surface with an extra-fine grit sandpaper to make it more matte.

Gelli Transfer Film prints make great additions to art journal pages, collage, ATC's, cards, art quilts, paintings ... and other mixed media projects! 

This is a fun and easy technique! Try it!!!

For more information on this technique, please take a look at the previous blog titled "Gild the Gelli!"

This Contest is officially CLOSED

And here's our giveaway:

Our fabulous prize package includes:

1. One (1) 6"x6" Gel Printing Plate 
2. One (1) package of Copper Leaf (25 sheets) by ArtMinds 
3. One (1) package of Ranger Perfect Pearls (set contains 4 colors and 2 brushes)

One lucky winner will be chosen at random on Wednesday, May 29th and announced here on the blog and on our Facebook page.

To be entered to win, simply leave a comment here on our blog or on our Facebook page. 

SHARE this blog post, and we'll add your name again for another chance to win!  
You can share via Pinterest, Twitter, Youtube or your blog! Just let us know where you've shared and we'll happily enter you twice :)

This Contest is officially CLOSED

 

Good Luck and Happy Printing!

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