gelatin plate tips

You can make a gelatin plate with just:

• one box of unflavored gelatin
• 1 and 1/2 cups of water
• small shallow container like,
  • 5″ x 7″ acrylic box frame,
  • round plate,
  • foam produce tray
• Bowl
• Microwave or double boiler

Measure 1 1/2 cups of tepid water into a bowl or measuring cup. Then sprinkle the gelatin on top of the water and let is bloom or 5 minutes or so.

Then gently stab or pat the applesauce like mixture to blend in all the water.

Then slowly microwave the mixture for 2 or 3 minutes. Watch the microwave. You don’t want to boil over. That would be a mess!!!

If you don’t use a microwave then build a double boiler situation and slowly melt the gelatin mixture until it is fluid and no longer applesauce like.

Then spoon off any foam into the trash. Not down the sink- it could cause the drain to clog.

I then pour the mixture through cheese cloth and into the container, on a level surface. Leave in place until it has hardened. DO NOT try to move the container of liquid. Spills are not fun to clean up.

Always pay attention to where the gelatin is going. You don’t want it to dribble all over the counter. It is tough to clean up.

When the plate if firmed up, I like to put it into the refrigerator or  a few hours or over night. Then it is easier to get out of the container without tearing.

Now this gelatin and water printing plate will last about a week, before it starts to rip or mold. I do recommend that you keep this simple gelatin and water plate in the refrigerator when you are not using it.

If you find that you love the printing process, then you will probably want to make a gelatin, glycerin and water plate. You can get the FREE instructions for that plate here.

If you want to explore gelatin printmaking with me, then join us in the online printmaking class, Make Monotypes. Get all the details on the workshop page.

I have made a lot of gelatin plates for printmaking over the last 10 years. But since I have started using the gelatin and glycerin and water recipe, I only make one or 2 plates a year.

The basic recipe and concept is simple. Dissolve gelatin in water and let it harden.

I like to use:

• glass bowl that fits in the microwave or on a pan as a double boiler
• 4 quart glass measuring cup is nice for pouring with control
• cheesecloth or tarlatan for catching lumps and gunk
• plastic cup to hold gelatin powder just prior to mixing
• aluminum pan for shaping the plate
• rubber spatula for dissolving the gelatin
• wooden sticks as spacers for a double boiler

I like the way the gelatin plate transfers marks, that is why I go through the steps to make the plate, rather than use the commercially produced gel plates.

Need the FREE recipe and instructions? Get it here.

If you want to explore all the possibilities of printing with the Gelatin and glycerin plate, then join us in the next session of Make Monotypes. Class starts soon.

I have been purging my studio and tools. This has made me aware of the tools that are important to me and the ones that I take for granted.

1. Lots of Newsprint

I use to be frugal with newsprint and use it over and over until it could not longer pick up ink. This often results in a beautiful piece of paper that has a rich and unpredictable history of mark.

I use the newsprint to remove ink from the gelatin plate to get the transparency and style of impression that I desire.

2. Small Brayers

I tend to work 8″ x 10″ or smaller and often embrace the uneven brayer marks that result from using smaller brayers. I have 2″ to 4″ brayers. The 3 ” is probably my most use size. It is nice to be able to apply ink to the gelatin plate in specific and small areas of the plate with a smaller brayer.

3. Speedball inks and retarder

We all have our favorite ink, mine is the speedball water based block printing ink. It is non-toxic, easy to clean up and works well with the homemade gelatin plate. I use the speedball retarder to keep the ink alive and workable longer. It can also be reactivated with a spritz of a few water droplets.

I love the cyan. That is a speedball printmasters ink. It is the same binder as the block printing ink. The 5 oz tube is my favorite size, because it does not dry out as quickly as a can and it is easy to squirt out a small amount. This makes for less waste.

4. Rags and a squirt bottle of water

These are essential to my printing process. A damp rag is used to keep my inky fingers clean, when handling the print paper. I periodically tear up old t-shirts and always have plenty of rags. The squirt bottle of water is great to reactivate ink that has dried on the palette.

5. Plexi glass plates and plastic chopping mats

I use these plates and mats as:

• ink palatte
• surface for the gelatin plate
• cover for the gelatin plate
• temporary storage of stencils
• press plate for grasses and twigs

I would love to share more of my tricks and tools with you in the next session of Make Monotypes, the online gelatin printmaking class.

The class starts January 7, 2019. Read more about the details on the printmaking workshop page.

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I am getting ready for the gelatin printmaking class at the Museum of Printing, this Saturday. I am excited about the live in person workshop. You still have time to join this in person class.

I am making the gelatin and glycerin printing plates for everyone in the class. The long lasting printing plate is made of only 3 ingredients:

1. Water
2. Gelatin and
3. Glycerin

I have lots of gelatin, but I needed to buy some glycerin. Glycerin can be hard to find.

It is usually in the first aid section of the pharmacy near the calamine lotion and band aids and witch hazel.

I needed a lot. Each plate takes two 6 oz bottles of glycerin, so I thought I would order it online from Walmart, as I had done in the past.

But the online price was $1 more per 6 oz bottle. Hmmm? Well I drove around and found what I needed at a few local superstores. But I guess I am going to have to plan a head for getting glycerin. The online prices and quantities are all over the place as far a pricing. I wonder what is going on?

In the past, I have found 6 oz bottles of glycerin at:

• Walmart
• CVS
• Walgreens, Rite Aid and similar pharmacies

But in the future I may need to go online to:

• Bulk Apothecary

Glycerin gives the gelatin printing plate longevity and strength. You can make a printing plate with just gelatin and water, but it only lasts for a few weeks.

If you would like the recipe to make the gelatin and glycerin plate then join the mailing list below and I will send you the info.

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