How to make a gelli plate part 1

Hello Friends and welcome to another art studio vlog.
This week is a tutorial on how I make my gelli plate. It's a simple process and because the gelli plate is made with glycerine they are super durable and long-lasting. It also means I don't need to keep my gelli plate in the fridge.
Credit- I first found this recipe I think on NCAT create by Tracy Paterson
The ingredients list
80g Gelatine powder
400ml Glycerine
1 cup cold water
1 1/2 cups hot water
and that's it to make a gelli plate!
Now a word of warning, gelli plate printing is addictive! :-D
Seriously though, I hope you find this helpful and this art tutorial gets you printing and creating beautiful gelli plate prints.
The vlog I mentioned comparing a homemade gelli plate and the branded Gelli plate is below
• Homemade Gelatin Plate...
Hope you enjoy :-)
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Thanks for watching! See you next time.

[@clouda9]

Just finished making and unmolding my gel plate with your 🎗most excellent tutorial. Can't wait to get going. So many ideas to get outta my head and onto paper.

[@selinawilsonart]

Fabulous!! Yes it’s very addictive so many possibilities 😀 enjoy! 🌈🎨🌸💖

[@la_papetrie]

Gelli plate update ! I made it and it turned out perfectly ,apart from some foam on the top .which disappeared once it was set .thanks for a great recipe. Now to print something lol

[@selinawilsonart]

Fantastic! Oh that makes me so happy yay 🎉🥳👏👏

[@angelacuthill-jz6qg]

I'm so happy I saw this , very informative, love it , thank you ❤

[@selinawilsonart]

Wonderful! Now that makes me happy too 😀💖🎉

[@franashfield7798]

Hi Selina, I used your Gelli plate recipe and it worked perfectly. I’m planning on using it for the first time tomorrow and can hardly wait! You may have created the Gelli plate monster in me 😂

[@selinawilsonart]

😂🤣 yep it’s addictive alright. So good to hear the plate worked. Hours and hours of fun ahead 🌈🌸❤️🎉

[@barbarabrady1267]

Again I learned something new from you. I have no idea how to use this, but it was so satisfying to watch you make. Awesome video once again. 😊

[@selinawilsonart]

Thanks so much Barbara. I’ll be showing how I use it in coming weeks with a healthy warning it’s pretty addictive 😄🌸💖

[@nairafoganholi6563]

Hello, Selina! I love your explanations! The best i have found! Thank you so much for sharing it! I will have a go!!! Happy Sunday! ❤

[@selinawilsonart]

You’re welcome! Happy making 😀🩵🌻

[@fiddler1252]

Fabulous lesson, Selina! I've been gathering the ingredients, stencils, etc, for some time and now I feel confident to make my first, and only, gel plate, and start printing asap. :)

[@selinawilsonart]

Thanks so much. That’s wonderful! Happy printing! 😀💕🌸🎉

[@miathomsenschmidt5393]

That was a really great tutorial! Thanks!

[@selinawilsonart]

Wonderful! Thank you 🙏 😊💜🌻

[@womaninattic]

I use vegan gelatine and it works just as well as animal gelatine. I put in a few drops of Leucidal liquid (anti microbial) for extra protection against mildew or mold. Thanks for the video! Making gel plates is addicting.

[@selinawilsonart]

Good to know, thanks for sharing. 💖It is a very addictive practice isn’t it 😀😂

[@selinawilsonart]

welcome to the 9 new subs 🙂 Hope you enjoy 💜

[@northerngirl4666]

Thanks for this. Watched a few videos and I like the idea of making applesauce first and then adding the hot water. Do you think if the second 1.5 cup of water was boiling hot, then those clumps would have melted? I’m going to do this today. Thanks very much for your detailed account and it’s good to see the little challenges that can happen! Thanks very much!

[@selinawilsonart]

You’re very welcome. I’m so happy you are going to give it a go! 😀 yes with setting up to film and talking the water had cooled too much. Water from a “recently” boiled kettle is key to avoid lumps. I do tend to get a few because I add the gelatin a little too much at a time too 🙄 just my impatience 😂 good luck and if all else fails reheat the whole mix 👍

[@la_papetrie]

Great video once again Selina ..I'm definitely going to give this a go I ways thought it high tec or something haha you made it sound as easy ..can't wait to play ..thank you ✌️

[@selinawilsonart]

Awesome! You’re very welcome. Let me know how you go. (Definitely needed the warm water hotter)

[@la_papetrie]

I surely will let you know 😊

[@scrapbagstudios]

Hi Selina, fellow Australian here. Excellent tutorial and good to see it made in real time. Thank you. I made a gel plate about 5 years ago and used it for quite some time. Unfortunately I live in the sub-tropics and our summer heat and humidity start to melt it and it goes a bit gooey. I should dig the paint out of the dents and re-melt it. Then keep it in the fridge in the summer I guess. I admit though that I do not keep it sandwiched with acetate sheets. Would that make a difference? Thanks for sharing this process with us. ❤

[@selinawilsonart]

Hi 🇦🇺😀 Thanks so much. No I don’t think the sheets would make a difference. They really only stop other things sticking to it. The fridge would be the best option I think. 💖🌸

[@scrapbagstudios]

@@selinawilsonart Thank you 😀❤I have subscribed. I like to support fellow Aussies. It's always good to hear a familiar accent.

[@selinawilsonart]

😀 ha ha thanks! 💖

[@traceyallen8286]

Hi Selina. New subscriber here - you just popped up in my KZbin feed😊. I just remelted my homemade gel plate yesterday for the first time because it had become really sticky and sort of bubbly around the edges. It was stored between 2 pieces of thickish acetate. I am in Sydney, so I was wondering if our high humidity may have affected it? Have you ever had that happen? Just fyi, I found that straining after I remelted it in the microwave also removed any remaining bits of acrylic paint that were stuck on the gooey edges👍. Personally I prefer the firmer plate I have second time around. Thanks for an informative, clear video.

[@selinawilsonart]

Hi Tracey Welcome! 😀 so glad you found me and enjoyed the video. Yes the humidity will definitely effect a plate. You can store in an airtight container in fridge but haven’t tried it myself. I’m in Central Victoria where it is very low humidity especially compared to Sydney! 😀 Great tip to strain the mix 👍 I prefer the second, stiffer plate too. I’ve just damaged my soft plate - AGAIN! 🙄 I won’t add any water when I redo it.

[@trudiriddle8000]

I have also taken an open flame with a long lighter along the surface and it pops the bubbles.

[@selinawilsonart]

Oh nice! Thanks for sharing 😀💖🌈🌸

[@viviennehill3672]

Hi Selina. So excited to be on board with you. I had spent ALL DAY watching videos on Gelli pad printing. Thats how I came across you. I am addicted already and rearing to go. Thank you for the video on the making of the Gelli Pad. I did see a tutorial using a large Gelli pad (for use of A3 paper). Have you made a large one. Would you just double your recipe?

[@selinawilsonart]

Hi Vivienne. Welcome! Gelli printing is very addictive isn’t it. 😀 My recipe makes quite a soft plate so I would guess rather than doubling all ingredients add less water. That will make it a bit firmer and be a bit more stable at that large size. If it doesn’t work you can just re make it (see my vlog on remaking a gelli plate). Sounds super exciting. I love working big. 😀⭐️💕🎨

[@traceyallen8286]

Hi Selina. I'm having trouble sourcing a small latex free brayer suitable for gel printing. do you have any ideas or recommendations please? I'm in Australia. Thanks.

[@selinawilsonart]

Hi Tracey Funny you should ask this as I’m just editing this weeks vlog which includes a new brayer 😀 I prefer speedball rollers and they are made from a natural latex. For latex free I suggest an Essdee brayer. Their lino printing rollers are made from EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer) which is a type of synthetic rubber. They are a UK based company but I got mine (the little blue one in this weeks vlog) from my local art supply shop. I find the roller a little firmer than the speedball brand but works just fine on my gel plate. Hope that helps 😀🍁🧡

[@desireamarah9129]

Thank you ✨

[@selinawilsonart]

You’re welcome 🌸😊💖

[@lgene7232]

Would enjoy learning more about making the cards

[@selinawilsonart]

It’s in the planning. Just waiting for an order of deli paper to arrive. Stay tuned 😉😀

[@megster1232010]

I just made one but a little different recipe but only one side is hard and the other has little fissures in it when I move it because it's not cured all the way. it has been 36 hours and I have no idea what I did wrong!

[@selinawilsonart]

Hmmmm. My guess would be not mixed enough/properly. Id say nothing is going to change after 36hours unfortunately. My suggestion is to cut away the “set” part and use it if big enough for you or cut the whole thing up, remelt (I have a vlog on that too) and try mixing and setting it again.

[@michellemccumbers7216]

Does the gelatin ever mold? and How do you clean tg gelli plate after you use it??

[@selinawilsonart]

Hi Michelle. No I have never had a problem with mold. You can keep plate in fridge or add a little isopropyl when making if concerned. I’m using scent free baby wipes to clean the plate 😉💖🌻

[@karens5429]

Geli plates have oil in them. Can some be added to these plates and what is the addition for?

[@selinawilsonart]

While both are technically gell plates, these homemade plates are very different to the commercial Gelli plates. There is no need to add anything more to them. It might be useful to think of them as this. The homemade plate is made of gelatine so is a jello or Jelly plate. Gelli plate is synthetic so is a Gel plate

[@northerngirl4666]

Oh and what size was your dish? It looked like the gel pad was a little more than a centimetre thick?

[@selinawilsonart]

Yes the gell plate was a little over 1cm thick. The tray is roughly A4 🙂💕

[@christinenaylor4912]

Hi, why do some makers add isopropyl? ... what difference does it make to the finished item please?

[@selinawilsonart]

Hi Christine. Adding isopropyl acts with the protein to prevent mould growth. I’ve never had a problem with mould so I don’t add it. If you live in a humid environment you should refrigerate your gel plate. Adding alcohol is another option 😊🌈🌸

[@christinenaylor4912]

@@selinawilsonart Thank you very much :)

[@veronicaschuder5332]

Hi, I would love a lesson on your playing card monoprints!

[@selinawilsonart]

Stay tuned. Planning on filming that soon 💕😉😀

[@carpatka7415]

is that a vegatebles glicerin from hardware store???

[@selinawilsonart]

Yes vegetable food grade glycerin. I get mine from the supermarket but yes that will be the one 😀🌈🌸

[@Addyr3]

Could you just dissolve the gelatin in the hot water and then combine?

[@selinawilsonart]

Hmmm, maybe. Adding the glycerin last may cause more bubbles as you need to stir more to combine because the glycerin has such a thick consistency potentially causing more bubbles. They can be a pain to remove and any left will leave holes and marks in your plate which of course will show in your prints. Worth trying and finding what works best for you 😄💖🌸

[@madhabitz]

Create a vortex, using your spatula in the bowl filled with your cold water and glycerin. You do that by stirring briskly. Keep your motions steady, as you don't want to create a lot of lumpy bubbles. if you can help it Once you have the vortex-whirlpool going, slowly drizzle/sprinkle your gelatin powder steadily into the middle until it's all in. Keep the vortex going for awhile. This will help to avoid clumps. If you do get clumps, set your bowl aside overnight (in the refrigerator is good, but not necessary), giving it a stir once in awhile. The next day (or maybe just a couple of hours, sometimes), all of it should be nicely dissolved. When you add in your hot water, do the same vortex stirring, but this time with the hot water while you slowly drizzle the cold water/glycerin/gelatin mix in a thin stream. Edited to add: Oh dear. I am laughing my head off at my advice above, as well as mumbling many mea culpas. Of course you cannot set it aside to let it all dissolve. My only excuse is that I make a lot of giant soap bubble solution and that is the technique I use. Clumps always dissolve in a situation like this...... unless it's gelatin that is meant to solidify. My apologies. The part regarding the actual mixing is still valid -- I actually did that last night.

[@selinawilsonart]

Juggling filming, talking and mixing, I needed another hand to keep the mixture moving while I was adding the gelatin 😀 I also talked too long and what should have been hot water had cooled too much which didn’t help things. Not sure about the idea of leaving the mixture overnight 🤔 something to ponder. Thanks for your ideas. Hope others find them helpful 🌈🌸❤️🙏

[@selinawilsonart]

😀😂 you had me wondering. 🤣 yes to stir with enough vigor but not create bubbles is a challenge. The vortex technique is sound. 🙏 giant soap bubbles sound fun!! 🫧

[@madhabitz]

@@selinawilsonart It works with cold water -- the key is to not dump it by the spoonful or more, at one time. Dust it in as you stir.

[@madhabitz]

@@selinawilsonart Soap bubbles are amazing. Google soap bubble wiki to find the forum with loads of recipes and tips.

[@fiddler1252]

I'm in Canada. How many tablesooons is 80 grams gelatine powder?

[@selinawilsonart]

Hi Jan In Australia a tablespoon is 15grams making 80g 5.33 tablespoons. Hope that helps 😊💖🌸

[@user-iu4vq7yn6h]

What's the recipe to make this amount of gel.

[@selinawilsonart]

Recipe is in the description box 😊

[@user-iu4vq7yn6h]

My understanding if you have bubbles in it will come out in your artwork.

[@selinawilsonart]

Yes. Your finished surface needs to be perfectly smooth 😊🌷

[@vdickerson9430]

place those lumps in the hot water until the end

[@selinawilsonart]

I had let the hot water cool too much because I talked so long 😂

[@glendawakeham3205]

Why are you so worried about bubbles on what will become the bottom of the plate?

[@selinawilsonart]

My plate is softer than the branded plate and any defects on the underside can affect the printing side. Also when the plate wears you can flip it and use the other side

[@KatherineLWince]

are you using food grade glycerine?

[@selinawilsonart]

Hi Katherine The glycerin I use is the medicinal one , used topically for soften rough skin, chapped hands and sore lips. Unfortunately the label doesn’t specify apart from saying it contains glycerol which is the vegetable kind. The vegetable kind is much cheaper to produce so it is more likely the glycerin you find in shops will be a vegetable based one. Health sites I’ve researched say it is safe to take in small doses. Health food stores might be your best source compared to the supermarket or pharmacy

[@KatherineLWince]

ah, thanks hon! I got some on clearance from a craft store, but I did not see that it was specifically vegetable glycerine, so I was curious if any type might work? @@selinawilsonart

[@selinawilsonart]

@KatherineLWince should be fine 😀

[@AyseYanikIleSanatAtolyesi]

Hello I don't have a microwave oven. How can I melt a broken gel plate and make a plate again without a microwave oven?

[@selinawilsonart]

Hi. Is your plate homemade? If so, use a double boiler method. Use a heatproof bowl that sits over a saucepan without falling in. fill the saucepan halfway with water. And heat with bowl on top. The hot water will heat your plate and melt it 😀 Unfortunately nothing can be done with the brand Gelli Plate due to its synthetic ingredients. Good luck

[@AyseYanikIleSanatAtolyesi]

​@@selinawilsonartThank you Selina. My gel plate is homemade. Do I need to add water at this stage?

[@selinawilsonart]

Have you seen my part 2 of making a gel plate? Will answer a few questions for you I think. Whether to add water depends on a few factors. You can add up to 1 cup of water when redoing my plate recipe. I tend not to because I prefer a firmer plate. If you don’t add water the plate size will be smaller, firmer and darker. The great thing about making your own means you can tweak things to your preference. You can’t really get it wrong because you can just redo it again with adjustments until you get what works for you. hope that helps 😊🌸💖

[@AyseYanikIleSanatAtolyesi]

​@@selinawilsonartWhile waiting for your answer, I got impatient and melted the plate. I added about half a glass of water and a small amount of gelatin to prevent it from being too soft and melted it thoroughly. The result was very good, Selina. I also used isopropyl alcohol in this gel plate, but next time I will use your recipe. It looks more flexible. Thank you very much for your interest, Selina Also, I appreciate you adding Turkish subtitles to your videos, unfortunately most people do not do this.

[@selinawilsonart]

Fantastic! So happy it worked for you. 🎉 I’ve just learned how to add the subtitles. 😀 I have added them to my newest vlogs and the most popular ones. I think all of my gel plate vlogs now have subtitles. Happy printing and playing 💖

[@nickFullerton-tb7dz]

I wonder if there is any relationship with how animal glue is made?

[@selinawilsonart]

In terms of the gelatin, then yes. More often the animal glue in art is rabbit skin glue. Very sticky and stinky stuff. I’m so glad it’s going out of fashion. I’m told the vegetarian version of gelatin works perfectly for gel plates

[@allanandlisafraser8798]

Hi, I made a gelli plate and after one use it kinda melted. So I melted it, strained it added more gelatine and then actually got about 6 prints out of it. When I started using it, it was still cool from the fridge. Then it broke down again. Layers of it were coming off with the paper......it's about 82 degrees in my art room, warm but I didn't think hot. If there's help out there, I'd sure like to save it. Thanks so much!

[@selinawilsonart]

Hmmmm. So many questions to try and figure this one out. Did you use my recipe? What type of paint are you using? Are you using any alcohol or mineral based products?

[@allanandlisafraser8798]

@@selinawilsonart I used water, glycerin and gelatine. 300mls of water and glycerin and 80 grams or more of gelatine. Using acrylic paint , Michaels brand, and used hand sanitizer for cleaning up. Thanks for responding.

[@selinawilsonart]

@allanandlisafraser8798 ah ok. Thanks for the info. The hand sanitizer will be the most likely cause to your issues. I only use water and fragrance free bamboo baby wipes to clean my plate. The hand sanitizer is far too strong and potent to use on a handmade plate. You might have to start over with a new batch/plate. Good luck 😊💖

[@allanandlisafraser8798]

@@selinawilsonart so what do I clean it with? I thought that’s what I was supposed to use. 🤦‍♀️

[@allanandlisafraser8798]

I really appreciate your taking the time to explain this to me. Sorry I didn’t see your full answer. I was thinking of melting it down, adding 100ml of glycerin and additional gelatine. Do you think that is a good idea? Is the heat an issue? Thanks again. 😊

[@elizabethpears307]

Just can’t watch due to the background music

[@selinawilsonart]

All the instructions are in the description and then follow along on mute for the visual or try using closed captions. The little square with cc in it on your menu near the like button etc😉🌈😀💖

[@joycolville3438]

I like the music. Thanks for your help

[@selinawilsonart]

You’re welcome. Thank you 🙏💖😀🌸

[@LockStoppageSandwich]

Seen this done but without the hassle of spending ages getting your gelatine lumps out. Just dissolve in the hot water and glycerine and it mixes a lot easier 👍 ie just replace your cold water with hot.

[@selinawilsonart]

Thanks. Yes, correct. I had let my water cool too much while I was busy talking/instructing 🙄😀😂