Choice of printing tools – gelatin printmaking

Now a days you have lots of choices when it comes to gelatin printmaking.

strain old glycerin and gelatin plate

Then what inks or paints should you use?

That depends on the plate that you choose. Every type of plate is made of different ingredients, and therefore holds and releases ink/paint differently.

inks for gelatin printmaking

Common ink/paint choices include:

  • Speedball water soluble block printing ink
  • Acrylic craft paint
  • Golden Open acrylic
  • Screen printing ink
  • Fabric paint

My favorite combination of plate and ink is the homemade glycerin, gelatin and water plate with the Speedball water soluble block printing ink.

These two materials work well together because they are both water based. The ink stays alive long enough to be transferred from brayer, to plate, to stencils and tools and, then finally to the paper.

Series of gelatin plate monotype prints

For example, these are a few of the prints that I pulled today. The inks stays transferrable so that I can get these dark silhouettes using a technique, that I refer to as pre-inking the stencil.

This is not possible if the ink/paint dries too quickly. See the basics of the process in the video below.

The best combination of ink and plate will be the artist’s choice depending on the desired result and the use of the printed material.
Happy printing!

8 thoughts on “Choice of printing tools – gelatin printmaking”

  1. This is so clever!! I will try this next time I print. I also like the frame you used to get clean edges. Thank you for sharing!

  2. Linda, thank you so much for posting all that you do. You’very single handedly renewed my interest in printmaking!
    Patti

  3. Hi
    I use Thermofax screen for printing but having a problem purchasing any in UK I prefer to purchase a few mtrs have you any idea where I can purchase or do you not use this method of printing

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