Creating Large Scale Prints with Speedball® Gel Printing Plates

Capitalizing on the unique working properties and extended open time of Akua™ Inks, professional printmaker, Amy Nack, creates amazing monoprints on Speedball’s® Gel Printing Plates in a large 12”x12” format-perfect for scrapbooking!

[@joannclupper7902]

YOU are an artist. Over the past 3 months I have watched at least 60 different KZbin videos such as this one. I appreciate your descriptions, your tidiness and habits, your attention to detail, and most of all the product that you produce. Thank you.

[@speedball_art]

So happy to hear that! Hope you are having fun with your art journey!

[@priscillawrites6685]

Thanks for excellent calligraph instructions. I have copperplates and type from my great grandfather’s 19th century print shop. Plan to bring the 19th century into my artwork.

[@prisillaspace]

I recently was introduced to Akua inks in my printmaking class ... Thank you for this great demonstration! I love rubbings....this is just that but with inks!!! Gel plates....here I come!!

[@annrosenthal8194]

Great to see a trained, professional printmaker using the gel plate! Thanks for the tips. Hope you do more videos!

[@artetc4848]

An inspiring video. Thanks Amy for clear demonstration and commentary.

So well prepared, thought out, and articulate. So many videos on this topic are presented poorly and are tedious. Thanks!

[@Cyrilmc222004]

Thank you so much. This is superb I really love 💕 the flowers and the strip of plastic made for a beautiful and stunning print.

[@JANeway1723]

You explain things very well. Thank you. Appreciated this video alot

[@Cyrilmc222004]

Thank you so much. I really really love ❤️ those prints you got are stunning and gorgeous too. I’ve watched this before, but, some thing’s don’t stick. Please stay safe and well too xxx Mags

[@pamelablunt1839]

Thanks! This is great! I haven't used gel plates but I am going to order some. Love my Akua inks.

[@c.b.5535]

That plant print was lovely

[@joann1567]

Wonderful colors - especially like the mylar backing. I have never used Akua Intaglio on the gelli plate - now I will. Looking forward to meeting you at NPS workshop.

I love this.... And your soft and cool approach 🥰

[@scrapfromtheheart4741]

Your works are adorable! I also give tutorials in this area in Scrapbooking in general, fun to have someone else great in the field.

[@speedball_art]

so happy you enjoyed the demonstration!

[@manuelacant4685]

Qué maravilla!!!😍😍😍😍 Gracias por compartir tus conocimientos🙌🙌

[@jennyhughes4474]

You created some lovely effects, thank you. I've never used gel plate or Akua inks nor Open inks nor collagraph - I have si much to learn & experiment with! The trouble is all these materials cost so much and unless you can sell them (I try to but not much luck plus I give some away) they just pile up and storage for all the art I create and the materials has become an enormous problem: I'm in a rented flat, not real walls, damp, bad lighting, no security/temporary etc. plus I've got a brain injury which means I have multiple problems with organisation, memory & visual difficulties, extreme fatigue etc. and am living on social security benefits because I lost my job (and home & savings for my retirement) when I had my accident 13 years ago. I know I'm really lucky not to be homeless (yet - but am very scared) and my art really helps with my panic attacks and depression (caused by all this bad stuff) but having no proper heating and living in a place without some basics (such as a cooker & oven) and not adapted to my disability & needs is very hard. Thank you for putting this up and helping to inspire us to keep going even when life is very tough. Lots of us need art as therapy and I think social security & medical insurance should cover the costs - and with the right help maybe we can sell our art then pay taxes and help all of us!

[@cherylalikhani5957]

Great video. I have a different, metallic brand of Speedball ink (4 metallics) but like the Akua colors and will eventually try them. I can't afford a baren but found a nice substitute. I place the brayer cleaning paper over the paper to be printed then brayer over it.

[@speedball_art]

The baren is a nice bonus, but Amy loves to just use her hand a good portion of the time in order to ensure pressure is applied across each artifact the way she'd like. Always a way to make it work in printmaking!

[@kathleenstrode455]

wonderful......i guess that's why you are professional printer...thank-you

[@solangerpaschoalino4681]

Adorável! Parabéns!

[@Cheryl64014]

Amy, these are absolutely beautiful. Thank you for sharing your technique. p.s. How did you get the lacy effect on your mylar, or did it come that way?

[@amynack8908]

it was cut that way as it was the backing to a printed adhesive paper border

[@jekalambert9412]

"Long drying time" is an understatement!!!! It took 2 weeks for my prints to dry in my closed car parked in the sun in the heat and dry climate in the central valley of California with air temperatures in the 90s. Totally frustrating! I needed the prints to dry quickly after printing, not 2 weeks later!!!! After that incident, Akua inks were OFF my list.

[@speedball_art]

Hello Jeka. Thank yo so much for taking the time to review this video and include our products in your process. The Akua Inks do have a unique formulation that make for an extended open time, but their nature does require some different considerations to allow them to dry once printed. The application of ink and the paper selected are hugely important, so we'd love to review some specifics of your project to see how we can improve your results. Please contact us at [e-mail] so we can get to resolving this quickly for you!

[@christierella]

Lol!

[@COLCI2009]

Love your work and style of teaching... absolutely hate the plate. I ended up replacing mine with the 12x12 Gel Press plate. Maybe I needed to use only the ink used in this demonstration.

[@speedball_art]

We're so happy to read that you enjoyed Amy's instruction and her work. She is truly a rare talent! In terms of the satisfaction with the plate, we are sorry to read that you did not have a better experience. Most often we find that artists have difficulties when working with media that is not ideally-suited for use with our plates' formulation. Since these plates were specifically formulated for use with printmaking inks (screen printing, block printing or Akua inks, for example), use with many acrylic paints do not usually yield great results unless using an acrylic paint with a long open time (Golden Open Acrylic, for example). We'd like to be sure that we have the opportunity to troubleshoot this issue with you to improve your experience with your plate, though. Can you please contact us at [e-mail] so that we can discuss your results further? We look forward to hearing from you and thank you for your comment!

[@nicholeboss1839]

Could this be used for pottery via underglazes instead of ink? maybe press a clay slab on top instead of paper Or do the paper as you’re demonstrating and then press that paper image onto the slab?

[@nunawatson4307]

I tried my stencils with a lot of paints, like them, didn't love....they were never sharp enough for me...this is beautiful if you don't care for paint going under your stencil.

[@amynack8908]

One of the great things about the Speedball plate with Akua is how the Akua responds to the Speedball Gel plate and helps prevent bleeding under stencils.

[@Biju2223]

Just started looking into mono printing. Your demos are great, voice, explanations, and background! Wha it is the large size of your support gel plate? Do you hv a list of name for the paper you are using? Do you need glass to frame your prints? I appreciate your teaching

[@speedball_art]

Thanks for tuning in! The largest size of Speedball Gel Printing Plate is 12"x12". These videos most often use our Arnhem 1618 Paper cut to the appropriate size for the plate. Prints do not need to be framed if you do not wish. Hope all that helps!

[@SonjaFrenz]

​@@speedball_art can you use regular Acrylic paint on this plate to make prints

[@cherylhudson5080]

Love your techniques it’s beautiful to watch. I hope you can help I purchased a speedball 8X10 and the first time I used it the copy paper stuck to it and it took hours to scrape it off without damaging the press. I have used the gelli plates hundreds of times and the only problem I had was accidentally putting the glossy side of photo paper down once, so I know not to do that again. I tried a second time with the speedball with exactly the same problem copy paper stuck to it, so after cleaning it up again it was hard work, I have put it away never to use again. Any info on how to fix this would be lovely I am not complaining I am just asking for help.

[@speedball_art]

Hi Cheryl! Thanks so much for tuning into the video and for your recent purchase of our Gel Printing Plates. Based on your description, our hypothesis is that it isn't the copy paper that is the culprit, but that you may be using acrylic paints for printing. While the Speedball Gel Printing Plates have been successfully paired with acrylic paints that offer a long open time (e.g. Golden Open, etc.), our plates are formulated specifically for use with printmaking inks (block printing, screen printing or Akua printmaking inks, for example). As such, we would not recommend the use of most acrylic paints with our Gel Printing Plates, again, with the exception of the paints that offer artists an extended working time. While we hope that this information proves helpful, please don't hesitate to contact us at [e-mail] to review your experience in further detail and see how else we might be able to help. Thanks again!

[@user-em6th9wp6u]

Why does the paint stick to the plate,

[@gerriekaychurch658]

What kind of paper are you using here?

[@isabellefeyfant7577]

Beautiful! Would it be possible to print on fabric?

[@speedball_art]

Yes! There are some tutorials online teaching gel printing on fabric. Would love to hear how your project went!

[@atlantic2233]

What is the clever rubbing/pressing tool used called?

[@speedball_art]

Amy is using the Speedball baren to help facilitate the transfer of the ink.

[@rominamanzoni4703]

Sorry, perhaps a stupid question... can I use regular acrylic colors? I have tons of those and here in Barcelona those inks you use are SOOOOO expensive!! any tips? thanks!!

[@speedball_art]

Hi! For the best result and the longevity of the plate, please avoid using acrylic ink.

[@pamelablunt1839]

Amy: Have you ever tried to use oil based inks over Akua? I have done oil-based and then added in watercolor which works once the ink is dried, but I have a feeling it won't work well with Akua. I don't have to do that, just looking at different mediums and thinking of what combines and what doesn't. Hmmm....On the other hand, the AKUA might act as a barrier to the watercolor which could contain it. (Like oil based does)? because Akua is also oil based?

[@amynack8908]

Yes! You can successfully combine oil and water based media with the Akua.

[@amynack8908]

I love using a variety of papers. The video was filmed using Speedball Bristol. Speedball's Mulberry paper is excellent as is their cotton rag Arnhem 1618 printmaking paper. Happy printing!

[@patriciaheale6130]

What paper please and what’s the thing you use on the back of the paper to press down please? Lov it

[@speedball_art]

It's the Speedball Baren that the artist used to press down on the paper for more even printing! The paper that she used is our Arnhem 1618 paper with a vellum finish.

[@henna696]

Where can we find more demonstrations using the 12X12 plate. The internet is overflowing with small plate uses but nothing much like this. Please advise. Do you have an internet course? Please reply.

[@speedball_art]

We have a range of demonstrations on both the 8x10 and 12x12 plates. This is the only of that series specific to the 12x12 size, but the amazing insight offered by Amy for both sizes would be applicable to working on the larger scale. Thanks for tuning in!

[@norbertgross688]

Hi,i live your different colors,1 questio ...you us acrylique or onli inkl alcohol? Tanks an greatings from Luxembourg❤

[@speedball_art]

Hello! These are our Akua inks, which are not acrylic and are great for intaglio printmaking

[@martinitang]

I used acrylic paint or should I be using ink like u are, shown here?

[@speedball_art]

We don’t recommend using acrylic paint with Gel Plates. You can use our Akua ink.

[@SonjaFrenz]

Can you use regular acrylic paint on this gel plate?

[@speedball_art]

For the best result and longevity of the plate, please avoid using acrylic paint.

[@betozen]

Where i buy the gel prontinho plate? I can use acrylics

[@speedball_art]

Speedball's Gel Printing Plates are available through a range of retail partners, including Dick Blick and Amazon. Speedball's are specifically formulated for use with printmaking inks, so if you're set on using acrylic paint, we'd recommend our friends at Gelli Arts :)

[@melodyblore7130]

She is a wonderful artist with your demonstrations. I have many gel plates of Gelli Arts and Gell Press. I love them passionately. I purchased the Speedball 12 x 12 and was horrified. It wasn’t ‘play’ at all as is my time on the other brands. Yes, I used acrylic paint. Golden Open. Really bad Renault’s and the worst part was trying to clean it. It is stained red. I paid a lot for this plate and have never used it since. Dissappointed😩

[@bansheekate]

Melody blore speedball plates require specific inks - for printing plates. I have heard about the incompatibility problem many times. I’m sorry this happened to you! I have gel plates & use Golden Open paints, myself. I enjoyed watching this tutorial however.

[@kerryd59]

Could you tell me what you use to clean the plate after using the inks please

[@speedball_art]

Most of the ink will release with the paper at print and the majority of any excess ink can be removed just by rubbing a scratch piece of paper/newsprint against the plate after you are done printing. For any remaining residue, something like a mild soap (e.g. Dawn) and water is great, or even something as simple as baby wipes. There are some colors that can stain the plates, but that will not impact future prints with ghosting, etc.

[@kerryd59]

SpeedballArt thank you

[@kerryd59]

Are the inks only suitable for paper?

[@JanisGagliardi]

what type of paper are you using?

[@speedball_art]

Amy is using Arnhem 1618 Paper in the 245gsm weight. The Warm White color is what is featured here, but the paper is also available in White along with a heavier 320gsm weight.

[@martinitang]

Kindly advise me: when I did my first pull with printer paper, the paper sticks to the plate and tear. I manage to remove paper wth hand sanitizer. However when I did my pull with gel press plate, paper didn’t stick. Did I miss something? Help

[@speedball_art]

Printer paper is great for testing but it’s the not the best paper to use with gel plates!😊Printmaking paper might give better results.

[@ruthieclarke9125]

What kind of paper are you using?

[@speedball_art]

We recommend a smooth surface paper for gel printing. In this video series, Amy is using Bienfang bristol drawing paper and Arnhem printmaking paper.

[@ruthieclarke9125]

@@speedball_art Perfect!

[@Engelhafen]

I don’t think 12 x12 is very large, I’ve made my own twice as large. Are you employed by speedball?

[@speedball_art]

Amy is among one of our Speedball Professional Artist Network partners for Gel Printing. Absolutely impressive to have such large gel plates that are homemade--for this particular technique 12"x12" is among the largest plates available commercially, and we also have this inks recommended for large scale monotype printing on plates we manufacture that are 22.5"x30.5" in size--perhaps those would be more to your liking for larger work :)

[@cherylalikhani5957]

The inks sound high quality like Rollerball brand's metallic set but the brand used in the video is definitely better. Rollerball inks separate in the tube and there is no way to stir it.

[@speedball_art]

thanks for watching! we're not familiar with the brand you've mentioned, but we can say that these plates are ideally-suited for use with our printmaking inks, whether you opt to use Akua or our Speedball relief or screen printing inks. Happy printing!

[@cherylalikhani5957]

@@speedball_art I meant Speedball, darn brain farts strike again.

[@speedball_art]

@@cherylalikhani5957 Gotcha! If you are using our Water-Soluble Block Printing Inks, it is possible they are drying more quickly. Akua is wonderful with the extended open time, but all our block, screen and Akua printmaking inks work very well on these plates!

[@minnahumble2294]

Is the baron weighted?

[@speedball_art]

Hi, thanks for being interested in this product! The baron is not weighted!

[@nunawatson4307]

I guess for cloth you used fabric ink, on gelli plate it would be ink.

[@amynack8908]

Yes, that's true. I use Speedball Fabric Screenprint Ink and Speedball fabric block printing ink and heat set. I have also used Akua on fabric when I do not expect to wash the fabric.

[@melodyblore7130]

Hello Speedball (ps I had typed ‘results’ and autocorrect made it ‘renaults’). So - nice that you read my frustrations with your very expensive plate but really? Not even on word? You ‘hearted’ it??? Do you know that means you loved it? Really Speedball?😳

[@speedball_art]

We do like having your candid feedback and would love to help troubleshoot your issue! If you can reach out to our Customer Service team at [e-mail] we'll have a great chance of being able to help and improve your satisfaction! Thanks!!

[@saundrayork767]

your click-bait says "large scale"; 12x12-inch is not what most of the world considers LARGE. I'm disappointed.

[@104holly2]

Saundra York most gelli plate style work is illustrated on much smaller plates .. no need for a negative comment like this..

[@speedball_art]

Hello Saundra--we're sorry to read that you're not pleased with the size of plate on which Amy is working, however, it is very rare to see artists working with this technique exceeding this plate size by a great deal. Most of the offerings, both Speedball and competitive brands, include gel plates only up to 16"x20" in size. This is due to the nature of the plate and it's formulation. You will find a larger scale format for monoprinting on our sister KZbin Channel (Akua Printshop) that utilizes the same Akua Intaglio inks, but on a 22.5"x30" plate. Hoping that is more in line with the scale to which you'd like to work!

[@minnahumble2294]

12x12 inch is self explanatory. Doesn’t matter whether it’s described as medium or large or anything else. So what’s the problem?