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Gelli Arts® Printing Guide: Printing Without a Press on Paper and Fabric Using the Gelli Arts® Plate

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Discover the amazing Gelli Arts® plate—a revolutionary printmaking surface that makes it easy to produce beautiful, one-of-a-kind artwork with amazing colors and textures! This book will show you how to use gelatin printing to create 32 stunning designs of layered prints, decorative pages for art journals, fabric for quilting, greeting cards, and more! Gelli Arts® Printing Guide teaches you all the basics you need to know on supplies, how to get started, and the best techniques for making colorful backgrounds, textured pages, multiple layers, and basic borders. Perfect for both beginners and experts, durable and reusable Gelli Arts® plates are easy to clean so you can quickly change paint colors and move on to your next project. This newly expanded edition contains an updated gallery of art featuring the latest Gelli Arts® plate techniques. Wonderful results can be obtained quickly, and simple variations give each print its own unique personality!

88 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2014

39 people are currently reading
57 people want to read

About the author

Suzanne McNeill

444 books15 followers

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5 stars
46 (36%)
4 stars
42 (33%)
3 stars
27 (21%)
2 stars
9 (7%)
1 star
2 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
Profile Image for Mary.
1,450 reviews1 follower
July 21, 2021
This is an expanded version of McNeill’s 2014 book by the same name. Excellent resource for crafters of all experience levels who want to learn to create or expand their knowledge of gelatin prints. Lots of ideas and great photos of the process, including recipes for making your own gelatin prints.
#NetGalley
Profile Image for Tiffiny.
313 reviews
July 6, 2020
I want to add Printmaking to my new Craft Arts class and I saw gelli printing plates at the NAEA convention a few years ago. I was able to go home with a free plate. This book gives a lot of great ideas of what can be done with the gelli pate, to pull a great print. Gelli plates are extremely expensive, so I was happy to see a recipe for making your own gelli plates. Though I'll have to spend my own money to create these plates for my students...

I hope that we will get to do a printing project and if we do, I'll be referencing this book! The first half of the book has ideas for layering and using found objects to pull a print. It shows that you can use anything to create an interesting work. Some of the projects in the second half of the book aren't really my jam, but they do show how you can create a wide array of things with the gelli plate.
Profile Image for Tammy V.
297 reviews26 followers
June 24, 2020
this is 49 page book - that alone knocked down the rating as "how to" books generally are far more generous by 3x.

In addition, the examples are poorly written and the photographs don't do much to encourage understanding.

Save your money and hit YouTube or Pinterest. this book is definitely not worth the $14.95 I paid for it.

I will give it that if you do a lot of gelli printing and just need a little inspriation/nudge, this might be useful to you. That's why I gave it 2 instead of 1. Definitely not for beginners.
Profile Image for Penny Ramirez.
1,965 reviews29 followers
September 18, 2020
I recently recieved a gift that was created using Gelli printing, and I wanted to learn more about the process. Imagine my surprise to discover that it's printmaking on a small scale! The pictures were fun and vibrant. I look forward to learning more, and perhaps trying it myself.
Profile Image for Dana.
129 reviews11 followers
June 26, 2021
Great guide on gelatin printing.

I have experience with gelatin printing. I also own Gelli Plate Printing by Joan Bess (published in 2014 by different publisher).

First impressions on Gelli Arts Printing Guide by Suzanne McNeill: Straightforward, shows the basic use and then many variations with a lot of DIY tools (texture rollers, stamps, texture cards etc.). Great examples of projects other than 2D art prints. Instructions are sometime squeezed into a paragraph. Previous experience with crafting or art would be helpful in some projects. This would be a good guide as well for an adult who can translate instructions appropriately for younger age groups. Would be helpful to have a resource guide for items that might not be as readily available in craft stores. Plenty of ideas on technique and plenty of project ideas. I particularly liked turning the prints into 3D sculptures, practical gift pillows, quilts and bags. Per review, this edition is 88 pages and last edition was 48. There is a LOT packed into these 88 pages.

Comparison with Gelli Plate Printing by Joan Bess: The titles and covers look so similar I wondered if I owned the previous published book from Suzanne McNeill (2014). Bess book has more step-by-step that could be followed by a particularly crafty 10 year old. At 143 pages, there are more techniques listed, but not as many DIY tools as the McNeill book. The Bess book shows nearly only 2D art as examples, so the McNeill book has a definite advantage of what to do with all these prints, and trust me, Gelli plate printing is SO addicting, you will have stacks and stacks! Bess book has several pages on salvaging bad prints etc. McNeill book has page on registering prints (which is pretty important). McNeill book has two recipes for making your own gelatin plate-temporary or permanent.

Which book to get? Thats a tough one. I don’t think you’d go wrong either way. Seriously, I pondered for a long time….I wouldn’t be able to pick. I’d probably get them both from the library and then renew them until I couldn’t anymore. On the plus side, if you wanted both of them, you’d get different things out of each, which is pretty cool.
Profile Image for Janette Fuller.
65 reviews2 followers
July 16, 2021
This is a revised and updated version of a book the author published in 2014.
Printing with a Gelli plate is a process that results in beautiful, one-of-a-kind papers with amazing colors, layers, and textures.

This book presents basic information on supplies, the best techniques, and projects. There is also a Gallery of beautiful art made by Gelli plate artists from around the world.

I have a Gelli plate and have made some prints with acrylic paint and distress oxide inks. I am definitely a beginner and still have much to learn about the Gelli printing process. I found this book very informative and inspiring.

The color illustrations are outstanding. The directions for different techniques are brief but adequate. I really enjoyed the section on using found objects for different textures.

The author includes a collection of projects that could be made with Gelli prints on paper and fabric. Some of these projects are; Abstract collage art, quilts, greeting cards, totes and bags, gift wraps, and journals.

This is a short reference book that should be included in your art book library.

I received a free digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a fair review.
Profile Image for Deb.
1,037 reviews24 followers
September 11, 2021
5 artistic stars

Gelli Arts Printing Guide is a valuable resource for anyone new to using a Gelli Press for crafting. McNeill takes us from simple steps and techniques to more complex ones in a well-organized way. The many accompanying photos are bright and colorful, making each step perfectly clear. Words are at a minimum – an asset when wanting to grab the concept quickly. McNeill gives tips for making your own stencils and stamps and even a DIY gel press to save money. Found objects and objects in nature are also fun tools to use.

The author encourages ‘playing’ with the prints and includes samples by professional artists. Projects, both on paper and fabric give the reader new ideas and specific instructions to utilize their prints.

While there are many good videos about how to use the Gelli Arts Press, I loved that this book had so many techniques in a quickly accessible way. I’m putting it on my Wish List!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Novel Obsession.
183 reviews4 followers
July 5, 2021
I own gelli plates and use them often, as they are some of my favorite tools for acrylic painting. I have even taught kids' art classes using gelli plates. If you haven't tried using them before, I highly recommend them. Suzanne McNeill's Gelli Arts Printing Guide has a lot of color photos, but it is lacking in techniques. There really isn't anything new in the book that most of my students wouldn't have figure out on their own given supplies and a half an hour. I would have preferred to see more techniques and explanations listed in the book.

Disclaimer: An advance copy was provided by Fox Chapel Publishing.
Profile Image for Courtney R..
106 reviews10 followers
November 4, 2023
The "Gelli Arts® Printing Guide" by Suzanne McNeill is a fantastic resource for artists and crafters interested in the versatile world of Gelli plate printing. McNeill's clear instructions and creative ideas provide an excellent foundation for those looking to explore this captivating medium. With easy-to-follow techniques, this guide opens up a world of possibilities for printing on paper and fabric. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned artist, this book is a valuable addition to your creative toolkit. It's an inspiring resource for unlocking the full potential of Gelli plate printing.

I was provided an advanced copy of this book by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Michelle "Champ".
999 reviews21 followers
July 12, 2021
While I didn't really find many techniques that a beginner could tackle, I did find pages and pages of glorious works created with this plate. The photographs are spectacular.

I have tried following along with a few of the techniques mentioned and while I had some issues (being a beginner and all), I still found my results fantastic. This book does make you see that all creations that you make with the plate are wonderful and a work of art.


Thanks to NetGalley for an advanced reader's copy.
Profile Image for Hannie.
1,374 reviews23 followers
December 26, 2022
Ik heb dit boek cadeau gekregen van een tante. Ik werk graag met een gelliplate en ik had laatst ook een ander boek gelezen met tips. Daardoor kwam ik dit boek tegen. Omdat mijn bibliotheek het niet heeft, kon ik het daar niet lenen. Omdat ik al een paar keer met een gelliplate heb gewerkt, wist ik bepaalde dingen al wel en dit is echt een boek voor beginners. Toch staan er leuke tips in en bepaalde afbeeldingen brengen je ook weer op ideeën. Een minpunt: het had soms nog wel wat uitgebreider gekund. Soms wordt maar een halve pagina aan een onderwerp besteed, terwijl er best nog wel wat meer over verteld had kunnen worden. Verder een leuk boek.
1,101 reviews6 followers
March 15, 2022
Fun book to learn more techniques for gelli pad printing which I used for mySt. Patrick’s Day cards. A handy book with great inspirations in a great size.
Profile Image for Annie.
4,624 reviews82 followers
August 28, 2021
Originally posted on my blog: Nonstop Reader.

Gelli Arts Printing Guide is a workshop in the form of a tutorials for printing with Gelli Arts products written by Suzanne McNeill. Originally released in 2014, this reformat and re-release from Fox Chapel on their Design Originals imprint is 88 pages and will be available in paperback and ebook formats. This edition includes new content including a new project gallery.

This is such an exuberantly colorful and high energy book. Every page includes full color photographs and inspiration and just leafing through had my fingers itching to pick up supplies and start. The book is arranged well and logically, with introduction, tools & supplies, and general techniques at the front, followed by lots of tutorials and projects (more than 30 by my rough count). The supplies are easy to obtain and inexpensive. The process is versatile and the projects and tutorials included in the book are drawn from mixed media, cloth and paper printing and more.

Tutorials include a title and description, tools and supplies shown in bullet list format, followed by step-by-step instructions. Each tutorial includes multiple process photos which are clear and understandable as well as a finish photo. Many of them also include samples, alternative pages, colors, and themes for inspiration.

Five stars. This would be a superlative choice for public or school library acquisition, art studio, makers groups, scouting or library activity groups, quilters, paper artists, and similar readers.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
Profile Image for Carolyn Bragg.
387 reviews6 followers
July 22, 2021
Fascinating! This is another art/craft I was unfamiliar with prior to reading a book about it. Wood & metal etching and printing has been around for hundreds of years, but using a firm gelatin sheet surface is versatile and reusable!

This medium seems to work best with paper and fabric, but there's no reason why a small canvas wouldn't work as well.

The artistic possibilities are as creative as the artist. Many artists are featured, producing items such as printed tissue wired and hanging in a window, wall art, screen-print like fabric designs for all manner of clothing, bags, and displays, and book covers!

The book author, Suzanne McNeill, provides all necessary information to begin creating with Gelli as soon as the gelatin sheet is set (and two recipes are shown).

Instructions (with illustrations) are included for a large number of these projects, with a wide variety of artistic styles and methods represented. Artists also indicate what their influences and preferences are when using Gelli to create. Most love the unpredictability and happy surprises they find with each print, because no two are alike.

The best thing about using Gelli is that it is fairly inexpensive, and crafters may already have a brayer and paints on hand. Everything beyond the Gelli sheet is determined by the wants of the artist!

I found this book to be both exciting and inviting, and I hope to try Gelli as soon as I have a "safe" dedicated place to create!

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for this wonderful free ebook preview!

5/5 Stars

#GelliArtsPrintingGuide #NetGalley
Profile Image for Barb Reinhold.
102 reviews4 followers
October 17, 2021
If you’ve ever wanted to try your hand at printmaking but worry that it’s too difficult, this book will prove you wrong. Gelli Arts is the trade name for a line of gel printmaking plates that can be used by anyone from young children to adults and from absolute beginners to experienced printmakers to create prints on paper or fabric using the Gelli plate along with inks, paints, stencils, or small objects of your choosing. As the book shows, the possibilities of what to create are limited only by your imagination. It’s important to understand that the techniques and designs described in the book are meant to be created by using a Gelli Arts brand plate which are available for purchase on amazon.com and elsewhere online. The book is both detailed and easy to follow with step-by-step instructions, including color photographs to guide you through your project from start to finish. There are instructions for several different techniques and projects ranging from the abstract to the whimsical. If you’re a crafter looking for something new, Gelli Arts could be your new favorite project.
5 reviews
February 3, 2022
This book packs a lot of material into 88 pages.

It begins with a short introduction to materials needed. Then it jumps right in with techniques. There are colorful photos on each page to show steps and finished pages. While it covers many techniques, there are only a few steps shown for each. Having experience with Gelli Plate printing, I found it to be an easy read, but a beginner may find it a bit too fast to follow. It finishes up with more complex projects, but not really enough information to complete. I find them to be more like examples of what it is possible to do.

Positives:
• Bright, colorful photos of each technique were quite inspiring.
• Included recipes for making your own gelli plates as an alternative to store-bought.
• Quick, fun read.

Negatives:
• Not many advanced techniques for the experienced, yet may not be enough for a beginner to follow.
• Very short. Could have been longer with more detailed steps.

Overall, this was a great introduction to Gelli Plate printing.

Four Stars.

Disclosure: I received this ebook as a download at no cost for review purposes.
Profile Image for Amber R.
51 reviews2 followers
July 20, 2021
If you are free these days or on vacation, this is the best book you could use in your free time. Gelli Arts will help you indulge in to a novel kind of hobby. With the help of this art, you can print papers, cards, journals and clothing without any hassle.
And the best thing is, you don't have to have a proper printing press for that. Isn't it amazing!!!
Moreover, if you can't find Gelli plates in the nearby market (or even online) for some reason, this book will help you make them at home. And the recipe is way too easy than you can imagine. It only involves 3-4 ingredients and Tadaaa!!!
I find doing Gelli Art with Suzanne McNeill quite therapeutic. It made me feel at peace while playing with the colours, making different patters.
I highly recommend this full-of-creativity pack in the form of a book!!
Profile Image for Tawney.
320 reviews7 followers
September 12, 2021
As the title says, this is a guide to the basics of Gelli plate printing. It would be very helpful to a beginner. McNeill briefly covers supplies, including recipes for temporary and permanent gel plates. Then it's on to techniques, from first rolling paint onto a plate to methods of creating texture and using stencils and stamps. Many illustrations so it's possible to see what happens with each. She also explains registration so that layers can be lined up without guesswork. There are a large variety of projects, including printing on fabric. Some have minimal instructions, but all the projects are the types to spur "What if...?" The possibilities of gel plate printing can be overwhelming. By sticking to the basics this is a good book to begin (or refresh) understanding the fundamentals.

I received an advance digital copy of this book compliments of Fox Chapel and NetGalley.
Profile Image for Leslie Harris.
69 reviews4 followers
August 5, 2021
A beautiful, colourful easy to read book that provides step-by-step illustrations on various techniques to use a Gelli Arts plate for printing.

The techniques include layering, basic supplies needed for various types of printmaking by using found objects, stencils, and stamps.

This book is also filled with great projects you can make with the prints such as: journals, canvas blocks, collages, sculptures, paintings, gift wrap, greeting cards, and apparel that includes ideas for making silk scarves, t-shirts, and printed totes.

This book is sure to inspire your creations and give you new ideas for your gelli plate! It’s a must have for any one who loves creating.

Special thanks to the publisher Fox Chapel Publishing and NetGally for the advanced digital copy for review.
358 reviews2 followers
October 5, 2021
The Gelli Arts® Printing Guide was written by Suzanne McNeill.

This guide is a short yet comprehensive guide to Gelli® plate printing. It is equally relevant to the novice who may have never printed before, as well as the professional artist looking for new ideas.

The techniques are well-detailed, easy-to-understand, and spark the imagination. There are step by step instructions, and lots of pictures for those visual learners-like me!

I have dabbled in Gelli® plate printing, and I really enjoyed it. This guide definitely inspires me to break out my plate again and get to printing!

I would like thank Fox Chapel Publishing for providing me with a free digital copy of this book in exchange for my review. Thank you!
1,264 reviews7 followers
July 13, 2021
Free book from Netgalley for review! I enjoyed reading this one. There's a lot of interesting projects and beautiful artwork, both on paper (in the beginning) to fabric (later on.) I made four new stamps to try out with craft foam while I was reading this and getting inspired so I'll take that as a win in any case. Maybe tomorrow I'll break out my gelli plate to play around while everyone is gone and I can use the table in the kitchen. :-D

I do wonder if I can use my delta ceramacoat textile medium the same way as Golden's Gac that the book recommends, mainly because I already have it! I would love to try printing on silk. That sounds amazing.
Author 1 book29 followers
February 23, 2021
This is what passes for an art book these days, I guess. The how-to part could be contained in an instructional pamphlet! The illustrations were child-like, messy looking and made by people who have not drilled down into the possibilities of this technique. This might be fine for an elementary school art teacher looking for new classroom techniques, but it has nothing to offer to serious artists. I purchased it, but it is so useless, I am returning it tomorrow. Disappointing.
Profile Image for Witch-at-Heart .
1,555 reviews20 followers
August 2, 2021
Really fascinating look at Gelli printing. I honestly had never even hear of it before requesting this book and I have to admit I loved learning about this art form. It looks easy enough for beginners and like tons of fun to try with young art students. i plan to get the basic supplies and give it a shot the book is very inspiring.and Gelli printing looks like a very relaxing and enjoyable form of self expression. I can’t wait to get started.
Profile Image for Alicia.
1,390 reviews17 followers
October 18, 2021
Love this guidebook. I am definitely picking up a physical copy of this book to have as a reference guide and inspiration. There are a few project examples in the back that your can try. And plenty of techniques to try with your Gelli plate. Even a recipe to make your own Gelli plate.

Perfect for a beginner and a useful reference.
Profile Image for Martha.
975 reviews20 followers
April 13, 2015
Good information, but leaned a little to heavily on manufactured products.
Profile Image for Sheila.
347 reviews1 follower
December 2, 2020
A small basic instruction book, with ideas to get you started.
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