Tag: Gel Press

Creating Backgrounds with Gel Press

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Creating Backgrounds with Gel Press

I was recently reintroduced to the Gel Press, a reusable gel printing plate.

I’d seen the Gel Press in action a few years ago and even briefly tried my hand at it.

The Gel Press is a fun and creative way to make backgrounds.

This month, the Eileen Hull Teams collaborated with Gel Press

to create some awesome samples.  Check out Eileen’s Blog Here.

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Disclosure:  This is a sponsored post for Gel Press.  I have been provided product in exchange for my creative ideas.  The view and opinions are my own. 

Creating Backgrounds with Gel Press

Materials Used:  (*affiliate links)

*Disclosure:  This blog uses ads and affiliate links.  If you choose to make a purchase using one of the links, I receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you) that helps offset the costs of maintaining this blog.  Thanks for your support!

Creating Backgrounds with Gel Press

I watched several Gel Press videos online before jumping right in.

I was impressed with the idea of using die-cuts to make backgrounds

and used a few of Eileen’s Dies to make mine.

Creating Backgrounds with Gel Press

Here’s how I made the Snowflake Background:

  • Start with several colors of acrylic paint and use a Brayer* to blend the paint onto the gel press.
  • Place the Snowflake die-cuts (cut using the Wreath & Snowflake Thinlet Die Set*) directly onto the paint.
  • Place a white piece of paper onto the gel press and press over the cardstock to remove the excess paint.
  • Remove the snowflake die-cuts.  Place another piece of cardstock over the Gel Press to pick up the remaining paint and patterns.

Creating Backgrounds with Gel Press

I die-cut another snowflake in blue and adhered it to the background to create this card.

I used the Eileen Hull Sweater Embossing Folder* to create the background layer.

Creating Backgrounds with Gel Press

I also tried the same technique using dye inkpads instead of paint.  

I used small inkpads and dabbed them all over the gel press.

Use a Brayer* to blend the inks before adding the snowflake die-cuts.

Creating Backgrounds with Gel Press

Use the Xyron Creative Station* to adhere the snowflake background paper

to Mat Board*. Die-cut the mat board using the Tiny Book Die to create

this sweet little album.  (This tiny album measures 2 1/4″ x 3″.)

Creating Backgrounds with Gel Press

The perfect mini-album to add those snowy day pictures.

Creating Backgrounds with Gel Press

Create a simple accordion out cardstock for the inside pages of the album.

Interested in learning more about using the Gel Press?  Check out this video.

Gel Press and the Colors of Autumn

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The first time I watched a video of someone using a Gel Press I was completely intrigued.

The project they were making was artsy, colorful, very cool and it looked like so much fun.

When I got the chance to participate in the Designer Craft Connection monthly design challenge

and receive a Gel Press plate for “free”… I was more than excited.

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Never heard of a Gel Press?    (Well…It’s just about the coolest thing.)

The Gel Press is a reusable Gel Printing Plate.

Gelatin printing is a form of mono-printing in which a gelatin slab is used as a printing plate to create a variety of images and backgrounds using acrylic paint.  Simple to use.  Ready for Printing.

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Here’s how I created “The Colors of Autumn Print”…

Supplies Needed:

Directions:

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  • Remove clear protective film from your gel press.  Apply paint to the exposed Gel Plate.
  • Roll paint on as a thin layer with brayer.
  • Create design by pressing textured item into wet paint.
  • Lay paper onto painted surface.
  • Gently rub paper with hands to create a transfer image onto the paper.
  • I traced guidelines around the paper onto my scratch paper to make it easier to line up the second printing.
  • Pull paper away from printing plate to reveal your background.

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  • I created a second background just like the first by using fall colors.
  • I placed 3 leaves into the paint.
  • I place a second piece of white paper over the gel press and pressed.  This removes most of the paint from the background.  Leaving the paint underneath the leaves.
  • Remove leaves from the gel press.  I masked the corners with a couple of additional leaves.
  • Lay the first blue background paper over the press.  Lining the paper up with the guidelines.
  • Gently rub paper with hands to create a transfer image onto the paper.
  • Pull paper away from printing plate to reveal your leaf prints.

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  • Mat print and embellish with “the colors of autumn” chit chat sticker.

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The “Colors of Autumn Print” was created for and sponsored by Gel Press.

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Make sure to check out the video on the Gel Press site.

 

*This post uses Amazon Affiliate links.  I am a Amazon Affiliate.  If you choose to purchase an item from Amazon by clinking on the product link, I will receive a small commission that helps offset the cost of running this blog.