Using Distress Oxides for Beginner Gel Plate Printing - Tips and Tricks 💡

Learn how to easily create beautiful gel plate prints using Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Oxides for quick backgrounds to use for all your papercraft projects!
In this how-to tutorial video you will learn how to make your first gel plate print, along with using stamps, dies and embossing folders to enhance the texture on the finished prints.
Thank you for joining me on my channel. I hope you enjoy this video. For more craft tutorials and inspiration, please subscribe.
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[@kiwipommiegirl]

My favourite is the one with water droplets too,so many ideas! tfs❤

[@jobuckmaster5842]

Thank you for showing such fantastic ideas and bringing them to life.

[@jackiefarr5703]

Well that's opened up a new world! I think I need this whole weekend all to myself to "play". It is going to be very addictive I think. 💖

[@neverboredm]

Thank you for the ideas! Could you, please, show us what you do with all the prints you've made? How do you use them to get some finite projects?

[@janesmith6925]

You could just show some finished cards using what you made, without going through the whole process of how you made them, just to give a clue to people like me with no imagination or experience.

[@EvangeliseGood]

Brilliant tutorial Lou, thanks so much. You are such a talented designer and really good at making mixed media accessible.

[@accidentallycreative5025]

Thanks Lou. I will be playing using my mat and brayer

[@luellahobson6489]

I’m loving your examples. I am new to using a gel plate. So, I will be playing and having a good time!

[@janesmith6925]

You are a fabulous teacher. I love how you explain every detail of what you are doing so clearly. I get so much inspiration from your videos. This one was especially wonderful.

[@amyswares]

Never thought about the water droplets on the gel press...genius! Thanks for another amazing tutorial! Such talent!!

[@SarahCoxWrites]

I absolutely loved this Lou, thanks so much for sharing. Can't wait to get started with my gelli plates 🙂

[@islahaworth5887]

Thank you Lou. What a fabulous video. It's like magic. More more more please. I just received my Gel Plate and Brayer last week so will be playing after I have made the next batch of cards. xxxxx

[@leannewarner2982]

That was a great tutorial have to get my gel plate out tonight

[@craftyheaven4007]

I absolutely loved this Blending my colours are going to be a life saver, please do.morr things with the gel plate xxx

[@paulinegalloway8920]

I hope Dad is doing well. Thank you for suggesting revisiting older videos. We watch, we like, we forget!

[@paulawray6210]

Wow! I learned so much! Can't wait to do to my craft room and play! Never used Distress Oxide with my Gelli plate. Thank yoj!

[@mudd601]

Hello and good day Lou. After seeing your video, I made so many prints, and was able to make cards out of my prints. Thank you so very much for your help in the videos you make.

[@LouCollins]

I’m so glad you’ve found this useful x

[@lynnetteyoung6007]

THANK YOU. Another brilliant tutorial ❤

[@lindadunstall1790]

Oh Lou..... learnt HEAPS!!! TFS.. Bought my gel plate on holiday & haven't had the headspace to play with it. Bought a kids splash💦mat since so now I have seen those gorgeous prints (my favourites are yours too!😂), I am inspired.🥰🦘🦘🦘☕🌹

[@sherylosullivan9619]

I don’t think I’ve watched any other gel printing video that covered so many options in less than half an hour! So addictive though! I did a session of gel printing last weekend with acrylic paints, then ripped up some of the prints and made a collage. Thanks so much for a great video.

[@sheilayoung6552]

I can do so much more now with my distress oxides. Thank you for a lovely video.

[@TRsPlace]

LOVE these tips and tricks! I like the water splatted one best also. But I do like the blue with a brown on top also! 💛TR

[@melodylebeau2190]

Wow!! You made this look sooo fun!! Need to get a gel plate & brayer ❤❤

[@cobnutcrafter]

Thanks Lou, So many useful tips, I need to watch this again!

[@karenbrass5053]

I love all these techniques, Lou, you’re so creative!

[@tammymchenry3675]

love the ease of the ink. Tyfs

[@GerdaNel-fl9mr]

Thank you for this demo. I bought a Gel Plate and orded a brayer last week. Wonderful Ideas, now I must just buy oxide inks at the craft store and start with this fun project.

[@sharonoverman8260]

Fascinating ❤ what a great instructor you are! The prints are beautiful! I’m a subscriber now.

[@anniefaint6373]

These prints are gorgeous xxxxx ❤

[@yvonne8682]

Hi Lou. Thank you so much for your demo on using the gel plate. It's new for me and you shared so many wonderful ideas to get me started. Can hardly wait to try them out. Loving your ideas and inspiration! Take care and looking forward to seeing what you have to share next. ❤😊

[@novablackburn4085]

Great demos, thanks Lou. Lots for us to have a go at. Then need to decide how to use them. Another demonstration perhaps? 😊

[@Chrissieannie]

Brilliant tutorial Lou and I love the dimensions of your plate. Congratulations on joining the elite 2% of KZbinrs with over 10,000 subscribers!

[@LouCollins]

Thanks Christine! Maybe one day I’ll reach nearer your number! 🤞

[@Chrissieannie]

You’ll simply leave me in the dust! 🤣🤣🤣

[@carloshaun7297]

Wonderful stuff! TFS!

[@Bront-ki2im]

Thank you for this instruction. ☺️☺️☺️

[@denisetebbs2742]

Great video as usual, thanks for sharing your knowledge x

[@bikergirl2006]

Love your prints and love this video! More more more please!

[@susanmcalpine6413]

Loved all your ideas!

[@sushanart]

Yes, please do more gel prints! I love it! 😇🩵🙏🙌🇸🇪

[@cobih1405]

Thank you Lou. I have a gel plate & brayer that I never use, but like you love my oxides. This gives me so many new ideas. Love the distressed look your slightly damaged plate gives a well. I think my favourite is the splattered water look. Makes a good starry background for an astro themed card ❤

[@tammyh1010]

I need to try the gel plate.

[@craftycs8917]

Thanks for a brilliant tutorial and for sharing your knowledge and skills. Happy Crafting x

[@lynnbartlett4185]

These are amazing. I have had a gel plate for ages but just never got on with the acrylic paints I tried it with. Never thought of oxides. Thank you Lou. I shall have another go. I am loving your videos. X

[@maggiedonaldson8432]

Great tutorial thank you!

[@michelegourd5742]

Great video!! I have a Gel plate but have not used it much!! You gave me some great ideas on how to use it more!! Thanks!!

[@AT-ox9np]

Love this! Thanks so much!!

[@michlou31]

Great video. Thank you so much ❤

[@elizabethayden1400]

I have Gelli plates (totally pristine in their clamshells) and brayers because, much as I loved the idea, lack of space and acrylic paint stopped the investigations; no longer! I have numerous DO inks and this is so straightforward, thank you so much. Liz

[@robinbecker9222]

Love them all

[@caroljones4000]

love love love these

[@lindastubbington6105]

Oh Wow Lou, now I need to go and play! Thank you so much for bringing new techniques to us. The water droplet one is just stunning.

[@susangazawaypapercrafting3749]

Great technique!😊

[@mgauthier820]

So many great ideas!

[@kimberleymaloy1728]

I like these beginner tutorials

[@nancyglaspie6735]

A lot of new ideas! TFS

[@sandrakubu8163]

More please! Love your videos! ❤

[@shelleybluebell397]

What great ideas thank you for sharing 😊

[@sophiemsmply4you572]

Fabulous Tutorial Lou thanks so much.

[@margaretg2097]

Thanks so much for this tutorial, Lou. I bought a media plate from Craftstash last year and only used it the first week The magazine tip is great, I cant believe how well that came out! I'm definitely getting my plate out today and having a play. I make my stencils by die cutting card that I've laminated on one side only. It can be cleaned off and reused several times. Thanks again x

[@janetcurtis701]

Love these gel prints using the oxide inks.

[@LaurieONeall]

Awesome video. I love and use oxides so often, but haven’t tried them on the gel plate. I will now! And please don’t ever lose your enthusiasm and excitement….it’s as benefits the lesson you shared with us! 👏🏻

[@gillianjf260]

Wonderful. Thank you. Please show us how you use the prints. Just thin paper ?? .

[@LouCollins]

Yes they are just thin paper but I would usually trim them down as card backgrounds with a bold sentiment on top or a stamped image x

[@Fiona-kb4sx]

Thank you so much Lou. I bought a bundle which had the interlocking circle die in it along with the gel plate which I was wanting ( must say that bundle was exceptional value!) and am now looking forward to using it and experimenting to see what messy magic backgrounds I can make. 🙃

[@sanny59jenkins40]

Absolutely brilliant ideas and step by step video. Love it , thanks Lou xx

[@joyace1234]

Great video! Thank you so much for sharing these great techniques. Can't wait to get my geli plate out again.

[@jillmayes139]

Hi Lou ... congrats on the 10k subscriptions, I'm sure your latest series on Distress Oxide blends played a part. I did ping you a message on FB last week, but think I may have sent it to your business page 🤔

[@traceyallen8286]

Thanks so much for this video Lou. Great to see other mediums being used on the gel plate. Embossing homemade stencils is a tip I haven't heard before.

[@chinajo555]

Hi Lou, Fantastic. I am watching from the USA and have always loved your style of mixed media crafting from the old Create and Craft USA days. So happy you have a KZbin page. Thank you.

[@lynnemorton6055]

Hi Lou,wow, amazing. Another technique ive never seen before. Really enjoyed this video. Fantastic. Thank you as always x

[@nangustafson8110]

Thank U ❤❤ Your instructions were clear and easy to follow. The examples are fabulous. Look forward to playing with DOX and my gel plate. 🎉

[@joannelind6682]

Absolutely gorgeous, thank you for showing us all these techniques. Please do show us how you make them into cards as well. ❤

[@LouCollins]

There is a video on my channel now showing this :-) kzbin.info/www/bejne/jIiaoJ2Oep1gldk

[@sandrasimpey1712]

Lots of valuable information. I'd love to try mixed media but it sets my anxiety off 😢

[@sandrasimpey1712]

Loved this Lou, I do have the gel plate and brayer but so far only used once to do a mirror stamp. I need to get more adventurous

[@kraftywytch7175]

Wow love this, I have so many ideas for a junk journal with these techniques now, I am not wishing I hadn't got rid of my brayer, might be time for me to see if I can afford the bundle of gel plate and brayer but that will have to wait as my craft budget for this month is gone already :( hey no next month

[@brendawalsh5834]

Have a Gel plate but hate to admit I’ve never used it but after this I must also must invest in a few inks

[@SpydersCorner]

Thank you! Great tutorial. Given me a few ideas! ((Lyn))

[@craftysandyscards]

Wow, Lou, thanks so much for this video, I’m new to the gel plate and only seen it used with acrylic paints which seems to dry very quickly but now I shall have a go with distress oxides since watching this. How would you attach or glue this thinner paper to cardstock please? Again thanks so much. Sandy 🌸

[@meredithgreenslade1965]

I always have trouble with the brayer leaving an edge mark as I roll it

[@arlenewaddell]

Lots of great ideas, thank you. How often do you re-ink your ink pads?

[@LouCollins]

Very rarely! Maybe once every few months.

[@MsShanarun]

Gorgeous!! Interesting how many prints you can get. If you use printer paper (thin) then you use it in a journal, not a card?

[@suemsearch]

Great video. Only ever seen this done with inks. I’d be afraid to use my distress oxide pads together on a gel plate for fear of contaminating them with the other colour. Does this happen?

[@lindaplested3385]

Wow Lou, thank you so much for the awesome tutorial. I'm new to your channel, but so amazing. just a quick question, what do you use to adhere these prints to card fronts, etc. thank you again.

[@michellesauve6778]

I loved this technique so much I had to go to my craft room and try it out. I typically use paint on my gel plate and wanted to try using my Distress Oxides. But my results were much more splotchy, almost like tiny beads. Do you have any suggestions.

[@LouCollins]

Hi Michelle, have you had your gel plate long? It sounds like it may need priming a bit to keep the ink from resisting on the mat. This would be done by using it lots and not cleaning it between uses to allow a little build up.

[@debbiegarrett3527]

Loved this video. Question: when you use copy paper do you use that to make a card.?

[@LouCollins]

Yes I do but I will back them onto card stock first 😁

[@theresabreeden6743]

I love your videos, I just got my gel plate, now I have an idea of where to start. But I do have a question, why choose copy paper over card-stock? Also, do you have a video on using the gel prints that you have made? I have never used copy paper in making of anything, collage or card making.

[@LouCollins]

I only use copy paper because I might do 30/40 pulls in a session so it’s cheaper. But I usually end up with these being backgrounds for cards or journal pages. I don’t think I have a video of this though 🤔

[@JulianaBeasley1967]

Thanks for sharing your insights on Distress Oxides. I went through my stash of distress oxides and realized I have much more than I thought I did. LOL!! And I am sure I bought so many colors because I watched another YT video. I can be so impulsive. In any case I am looking for ways to use them. I also have a gel plate. My question to you if you don't mine, is can you let the oxide ink dry on your gel plate and then cover it up with white paint or another acrylic and pull up the distress oxiee from underneath? Thanks if you can help and have a great weekend!

[@LouCollins]

Hi! I’ve not tried that technique but I would imagine it should work in the same way as paint, yes 😊 I will have to give it a go!

[@JulianaBeasley1967]

@@LouCollins Cool! I would love to see your results.

[@Pamsartplace]

Beautiful use of these inks!!! With that said are the distress inks the same as the oxides?

[@LouCollins]

Heres a video explaining the differences between the two, but for Gel Plate Printing I much prefer the Oxides. They seem to hold onto the plate better kzbin.info/www/bejne/jpusZYRplLSCgM0

[@MsTcup]

Twice you said the first color but not the second ugh! ??? 😢. The blends are gorgeous!! Must try these colors omgosh

[@donnacarraway9182]

Do you think that I could use my spray oxides as long as I use a Brayer on them?? Thank you! Great video!!💕

[@LouCollins]

No harm in trying! Let me know what happens! My oxide sprays are still boxed up while I moved studio 😭

[@donnagoodner8545]

I’ve been doing the same technique for a while now. I haven’t figured out how to seal the print. I also haven’t figured out how to support the paper with card stock. Do I use a medium brayer it on the plate to seal the print on the front and then a glue on the back to be able to glue the copy paper to card stock? Yes,I would love to see more on the gel plate. Did you refill your ink pad before doing this video? Thank you for all your wonderful videos! I always can’t wait to see your next video! Thank you!

[@LouCollins]

Hi Donna, I will use a spray adhesive to adhere the paper to a stronger cardstock x

[@donnagoodner8545]

@@LouCollins 😊 Thank you

[@elainehunt2573]

My brayer should arrive tomorrow and I’m going to practice with the gel plate that came in one of the monthly box sets even though it’s much thinner than the one Lou uses. Thank you Lou for all your excellent demos, it’s something I wouldn’t have attempted if you hadn’t given us so many ides to try xx

[@michelleshivers866]

I love oxide inks! I noticed your table cover. Where did you get that?😊

[@LouCollins]

This is just a photography background from Amazon 😊

[@michelleshivers866]

@@LouCollins thank you!!!

[@luellahobson6489]

By chance, do know a technique to use a die with out a die machine?

[@LouCollins]

Hi, I do not know of any way to be able to apply enough pressure without a machine I’m afraid.

[@pennypoole9559]

Where are the links? I cannot see them

[@Chezcat]

What medium damaged your plate?

[@LouCollins]

I think it was when I was scrubbing off some paint with a baby wipe that was not alcohol free x

[@Jue-peapodscraftycorner]

Really need to get my gel plates out and actually use them bought them and still never used them shameful I know