My Tips and Tricks for Gel Plate Care and Cleaning-Tutorial Tidbits

[@cscgnessin]

For ages everyone said “store in clam shell period. My clamshells look awful and the gel plate stuck to it. I got the tin and it started to get the inside dirty and the gel plate stuck I tried a lot of different things(not the rice paper though. ) what I found works beautifully is parchment paper!

[@lindamuir921]

I was going to ask aboutnthe parchment paper. Nice to hear it gas worked for you. Going to give it a try.

[@janicem4382]

“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”, yes! True in many instances.

[@ElizabethStHilaire]

THATS the expression I was looking for! thanks Janice it's so true

[@rubykittyruby]

Have just taken my gel plate out of its clam shell, added a sheet of paper either side and put it back in, Very handy info to have. Thanks.

[@SimoneWhippArtist]

Me too! ☺

[@ElizabethStHilaire]

Glad it helped

[@allthumbs3792]

THANK YOU for a comprehensive long needed tutorial on the proper care and feeding of the gel plate!

[@ElizabethStHilaire]

My pleasure! Thank you for being here with me

[@boleykr]

Thanks for the tips and tricks. Storing the plates with paper is new to me but makes sense because the clamshell and the tin can get so grungy. I always enjoy your videos.

[@ElizabethStHilaire]

My pleasure. the clamshell can also trap air between itself and the plate and cause bubbles, the paper prevents that!

[@joycemaureroriginal8563]

These info type videos are very much appreciated! Can't wait to see your finished studio.

[@ElizabethStHilaire]

Ok thank you!!!

[@janetdegenhardt5999]

Thank you so much for this comprehensive gel plate care video. This is crucial information to have!

[@ElizabethStHilaire]

Oh great! You’re welcome Janet

[@StudioArtbyReBa]

Boy do I wish I would have washed this sooner. But I think I’ll try all these tricks before I totally give up on my plate

[@ElizabethStHilaire]

@@StudioArtbyReBa oh gosh I’m sorry! Glad you found me here

[@susanwildt6535]

Thanks Elizabeth. I actually needed this video because I am going to get a gel plate and I wanted to know how to care for it right off the bat. I do have a Garners ART THROUGH THE AGES in case I need a heavy book!🤣

[@ElizabethStHilaire]

Fabulous Susan yore all set!

[@jaynedavey5927]

Thanks for the info! I found that I fixed the air bubble dilemma by laying down the Mylar using a bone folder (just like you would lay film on a window) I know It’s not in the directions, but it worked for me to fix and then prevent more bubble damage!

[@ElizabethStHilaire]

Great!

[@dorothykovak4900]

Thank you for this!!! I really appreciate all the helpful information.

[@ElizabethStHilaire]

You are so welcome!

[@yvonnebeaulieu1702]

Thank you, have ben gel printing for years and this solves my problems!

[@ElizabethStHilaire]

Great! Yay

[@terrimcnamarajunkjournaler5069]

Hello. I had hip surgery 3 weeks ago. Still recovering. So im watching lots of vidoes. Love your channel ❤

[@ElizabethStHilaire]

Oh I hope you feel better soon!! That’s big setback. Glad you enjoy the videos !

[@rosedages5477]

Thank you. I had no idea I wasn't supposed to store it with the acetate. I'm going to go put the rice paper on it now. I have them all in a big storage box with the tins and clams shells sitting upright so nothing is laying down at least. Love your videos.

[@ElizabethStHilaire]

You’ll be glad you did! Thank you so much

[@corinneyates7922]

Thank you thank you thank you ❤

[@ElizabethStHilaire]

@@corinneyates7922 my pleasure!

[@bobbibauer-qr9sk]

Thank you for this great information! I had no idea there was a way to get rid of the bubbles. I’ll be trying that tonight, after I visit my local library to check out the heaviest book they have. 😁

[@ElizabethStHilaire]

Ha ha ha right??? Heavy is good. You’re welcome

[@shirleyriley7941]

Nothing wrong with that video. I thank you because I found it very helpful 🎉

[@ElizabethStHilaire]

Awesome thank you

[@KathyBrooksArt]

Great to see your new studio and your book! I store my plates only in Ranger tins, between copy paper. I'm fastidious about cleaning my plates at the end of the day, I do mainly botanical prints, using lots of darks for first leaves layer. I do clean/condition my plates with baby oil. I have noticed little round tiny dark gummy bits sometimes when I clean my plates (w baby oil) at the end of the day; I wonder if that is residue from wiping in between prints with paper towels? I called Gelli Arts, and they have never heard of this happening. Do you ever find these little bits when cleaning them? Thanks.

[@ElizabethStHilaire]

No gummy bits here, no. I don’t wipe between prints however and I use the baby oil very infrequently.

[@karens5429]

Amazing video. Thank you……

[@ElizabethStHilaire]

Sure!

[@annajavier5712]

Lol a true artist has to have a copy or two if they have gone to school. My tin can looks like yours and I have not been traveling, they do work well. Thanks for all the good info my fridays are just not complete until I see what you got for us, thanks

[@ElizabethStHilaire]

This is an updated version from when I went to school for my BFA but it's already out of date again. It was the most expensive book I ever bought! Don't pile things on top of the tin and it will hold up better. I want to figure out how to manufacture a very sturdy plastic storage box but making products like that is complicated. My pleasure Anna, it's always nice to read your comments here!!

[@buckythewonderhorse]

I really needed this thanks!

[@ElizabethStHilaire]

Wonderful! My pleasure

[@ellengoodloe9786]

I think this was a great tidbit. Without our tools, supplies, and materials we'd have no art. I love the tins and store all of my plates in them, except the XL one which doesn't fit. Is this artist tape different from the Blick's artist tape? The Gardner's brings back painful memories of Art History after lunch with the lights off so we could see the slide show. Oy, it was painful. I figured if I had to pass this class to get a BFA, I'd better change course.

[@ElizabethStHilaire]

I’m not sure if it’s different. It’s acid free and archival. It will also tear nicely. I LOVED art history!! 💕

[@margaretsummers3712]

Great help!

[@ElizabethStHilaire]

Great!!

[@outdoorsy.lori12]

Thanks for the gel plate care tips, really appreciate all your videos.

[@ElizabethStHilaire]

My pleasure!

[@SimoneWhippArtist]

So satisfying to see you peel off the tape from the gel plate! I've just put the shiny side of rice paper either side of my gel plate in the clam shell on your recommendation! Thanks Elizabeth! 😊

[@ElizabethStHilaire]

Good job Simone! you are so very welcome

[@SimoneWhippArtist]

@@ElizabethStHilaire 👍

[@pamelawoods7185]

So glad you're doing this! I own a few 8x10s and a some of the smaller sizes and want them to last.

[@ElizabethStHilaire]

My pleasure! It’s works well. Good idea to take care of them.

[@G.G.8GG]

Nicely done and needed information. Thanks!

[@ElizabethStHilaire]

Glad it was helpful!

[@veliagonzalez1782]

Love it, and thank you. I enjoy watching all your videos. 😊

[@ElizabethStHilaire]

Thanks so much for being here!!

[@mjmjacqueline8397]

Thank you so much, this was extremely helpful useful, I knew the basics, but you filled in a lot of gaps. Thanks so much for sharing your expertise!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[@ElizabethStHilaire]

Oh I’m so glad! I was at a loss for a video this week. :)

[@ILoveMaltese]

Thank you so much. I am 40 minutes from Sac.

[@ElizabethStHilaire]

I am teaching a workshop in collage here next July! paper paintings.com/workshops

[@winterlude100]

You picked a perfect topic for the video! I am a first time plate owner and already doing damage so thanks for this! If you use the baby oil does it have to be wiped off or will it just be absorbed? Can you also just use copy paper instead of rice...it wasn't clear. Does the baby oil massage help indentations?

[@ElizabethStHilaire]

Baby oil cleans stains and then I showed you how to massage it in and leave overnight to remove air bubbles. Nothing will remove deep indents. Hope that helps. Yes, wipe off the excess.

[@deborahjanellemixedmediaart]

Thanks for the great tips!

[@ElizabethStHilaire]

My pleasure!

[@chantalfraser8638]

Thank you so much

[@ElizabethStHilaire]

my pleasure Chantal

[@arleenaartvark1141]

Hello! I cannot find the links you said you would add to this video. Thanks!

[@ElizabethStHilaire]

Expanded description box below the video

[@phiddywebb3511]

Is there such a thing as a gel plate becoming too old? Even with our favorite paper, the paints are not coming off the plate. (Using golden fluid paint as well. Thx. Phiddy

[@ElizabethStHilaire]

Try conditioning it with baby oil. If no luck, get a new one!

[@lindamuir921]

Can l use parchment paper for the top and bottom of my gelli plate when storing in the clamshell it came in?

[@ElizabethStHilaire]

The manufacturer specifically states copy paper or rice paper as it is porous.

[@pamelawoods7185]

Please tell me where I can get eye frames and sun glasses like you use. I love them and they bring so much fun and joy.

[@ElizabethStHilaire]

I get them online! Many places. Just do a search for funky frames.

[@highlanderghost]

Thank you very much for all the tips! They're helpful since I'm relatively new for gel printing. I do have a question though. What if you have a gel plate that is bigger than the tin, what would you store it in? (I know the calm shell is the obvious answer, but anything else?) Also, I have been using charcoal/pastel on the gel plate (where you rub the dust of the drawing onto the plate). Do you know if the wipes would take the shadow of that drawing out too? (It seems to linger for a couple of prints if I'm not careful.) Thanks again.

[@ElizabethStHilaire]

If the wipes don’t remove it, the baby oil will, it’s great on stains. I keep my BIG plates in the clam shells. Otherwise maybe you could find a Tupperware? I’m not sure :)

[@larkspin]

So how do you travel with them so they don't get squished?

[@ElizabethStHilaire]

The tin works, it’s bent but it still works and protects my plate