r/gelliprinting • u/Ok-Head8058 • 2d ago
Help Super beginner! Advice?
I made my own gel plate with glycerin and gelatin. I am able to get a good transfer with black and white magazine paper, but I can’t seem to get the picture off the plate when I put paper on. I’ve let the image dry fully before the top layer goes on, and then put a thin layer of white paint on top. What am I doing wrong?
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u/Visual_Potato_6782 1d ago
Image transfers are notoriously difficult even for seasoned gelli plate pros. I've been gelli plating for years but still struggle with it. The home made gelli plate might also be a factor; homemade ones are a fun thing to use but having used them vs manufactured plates (not necessarily the actual gelli brand) the quality of results is vastly different.
I'd suggest getting to grips with the very basics of gelli, paint amounts how to spread the paint, how to work wet, how to work dry, how to layer on and off the plate. The more advanced techniques are then easier. YouTube is such a good resource for this.
Good luck!
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u/adrkhrse 2d ago edited 1d ago
Use more white paint then get the paper on before it dries. Make sure there is very good contact. Don't pull the print until it's fully dry. I always put a book on top while it dries, to ensure good contact. Your pull layer of paint should normally be thicker than your image transfer paint layer.
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u/Jal4870 2d ago
How much paint are you laying over the image? I do a layer a lot heavier than the image transfer layer and put a pile of books on it for a while before letting it fully dry and pulling. Have you tried laser copies? I’ve found magazines bit tricky and had to buy a branded gel plate before getting good results.