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Writer's pictureJane

November class - printmaking your Xmas Cards!

Updated: Oct 31, 2024


A Gelli plate is above


I keep adding to this so do read before you come to class! It's nearly time to think about getting on with Christmas cards and I thought it would be fun to get going with basic printmaking again using a Gelli Plate. Here you will find all of the links to buy supplies and also to watch how they work on YouTube videos.


We have done this over the years and it is really fun. Basically you can use your acrylic paints, get a roller and a gelli plate (see below for more info). You can print either onto blank white cards (available at Hobbycraft who may, also supply the gelli plate and roller) or onto cheaper sheets of white paper or even rice paper which can then be saved for collaging into paintings or to cut to stick onto Xmas cards at a later time.


Gelli plates can be used year after year and is great fun for younger creatives too.



Do watch videos from YouTube, search Gelli plate printing too to find your own links, hopefully these will inspire you


A Video about Xmas cards and gelli plate printing https://youtu.be/BXfGV-g8D0I?si=snK96pyMVj6Ox3Bq (btw I have the wooden snowflakes to use in class!)


Painting using acrylic paints on a prepared gelli piece of paper


Imprinting objects onto the Gelli plate:


Using leaves and flowers on the Gelli plate


Using an image such as a magazine photo or a black and white print out of your choice either a photocopy, magazine images work best apparently (black and white gives best results


Using your drawing on the Gelli plate



Items needed for printing classes, note you will not need all of the items but decide what you want to print first


MATERIALS NEEDED FOR GELLI PRINTING, SOME OR ALL...Before Class, plan what you want to print. You will be producing multiple sheets with prints on, so not one painting.


PRINTING ITEMS

Think about bringing along items such as black and white magazine images (or photocopies of in Black and white) and/or items such as leaves, any old lace you may have, objects that you can press into the Gelli plate, images that inspire you. etc (details all in the above videos to inspire)


The possibilities are endless!


The cheapest Gelli plate (rectangular) is https://amzn.eu/d/ceTkXsi


There is a square Gelli plate too for square cards https://amzn.eu/d/fQWdNdp


A roller you can check out here https://amzn.eu/d/gJ7L0dF


PAPER: Plenty pieces of cheaper white paper such as computer paper is fine, you will use a lot! You can cut your prints and add them to cards for Xmas or birthdays.

Also consider printing directly onto blank greeting cards (Hobbycraft do these plus envelopes) if you are making them.


Try inexpensive papers and bring plenty with you to experiment, think about the size of the paper for your gelli plate so cut beforehand if the sheets are too big


PAINTS: Acrylic paints, which you might want to experiment with, classic reds, whites, golds, silvers plus lots of other paints that are slightly shimmery. I've noticed you may be able to source cheap paints at supermarkets (not sure what they are like though)


OTHER ART MATERIALS

Acrylic pens if you have them

Biros for doing drawings see video above

Old clothes

Newspaper to cover the table and also to get any excess paper off/kitchen towel also good for this



In class there will be two Gelli plates to use if you don't have one.


Old clothes, rags and usual painting stuff this can get messy, old newspaper is good too


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best wishes Jane




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