Gel Press Plate Review

The Gel Press is a gel like plate. It is approximately 1/2 inch thick and comes in various sizes. I purchased an 8 by 10 inch one. It is used to make art prints.

The common use is to brayer on acrylic paint, and then you can press your paper onto the paint which then transfers the paint to the paper, making a print.

There are various techniques one can use to make a variety of transfer images. One can partially cover an area on the Gel Press, which is called a mask. Then the person add paint and then lift the mask before pressing the receiving paper onto the paint, which will then leave an area where no paint was transferred.

One could also press other objects into the wet paint on the Gel Press, and then lift them off before making the print. This will provide a textured look of whatever object or objects were placed into the wet paint.

Another option is to use stencils that one can lay on the Gel Press, before they brayer on the paint on the Gel Press. Then the person lifts the stencil, providing a painting that is now in the shape of the stencil.

One can also paint a textured look of an object onto the Gel Press, and let that dry. Then they can paint a new layer of paint over the dried paint. Then they can press the receiving paper onto the two layered painting that is on the Gel Press. Doing this method requires the artist to give the pressing process a longer wait time before lifting the receiving paper, to allow the dry paint to be received into the wet paint, and then both layers of paint can show up on the receiving paper. Many people also do more than two layers.

This is a section of a print that I made by pressing stones into the wet paint on the painted Gel Press. The paint was still wet, so I could go ahead and press my receiving paper onto the painting.

As you can see, there can be many types of scenarios in these printing creations.

When I first got my Gel Press, I was hesitant to try much of anything. I didn't want to ruin the Gel Press. But in actuality, it is quite durable.

I have watched numerous YouTube videos on using gel plates, and many like leaving old paint on their gel plates, giving their next creation more of a grunge look. Others wipe off the dried paint with water, and or baby wipes.

One tip is to store the Gel Press in it's package, in an upright position. The key is not to let something lay on it and press an indention into it, as that can show up in future prints. Another tip is to make the layers of paint, thin. If the paint is too thick, the print doesn't peel off the Gel Press as well. And yes, it is a peeling action, that was something I had to get accustomed to.

Overall, I love my Gel Press. I have used it a variety of times to make background designs in a variety of the scrapbook papers I have designed. There are still other techniques I want to try out, including painting on it with a paint brush, and then adding another background layer to it. If you are interested in scrapbook paper, check out the link below the Gel Press link.

Gel Press Plate on Amazon. Check for price.

Find scrapbook paper in paperbacks, by Cheryl Paton, on my blog: https://artonproducts.blogspot.com/2024/03/cheryl-paton-scrapbook-paper.html

Check out another way that I am learning to make prints using a Speedball Carver, on this blog. https://www.reviewthisreviews.com/2025/05/speedball-carver-review.html

Cheryl Paton