Gel Printing

Made from clear gelatin, it is a thick reusable plate where ink is applied to the surface of the plate using a brayer, then stencils or other textural materials can be added to leave their mark in the ink. Paper is then pressed over top to create a print.

The main difference is that Speedball Gel Plates are formulated specifically for use with printmaking inks, expanding the range of surfaces you can print on by using ink instead of acrylic paint. For instance, you can print with Fabric Block Priting inks and print on fabric! Or use Acrylic Screen Printing Inks and print on wooden surfaces! For this reason, our gel plate surface is different and acrylic paint will dry on the gel plate and ruin it (so please don't use acrylic paint!).

No, Speedball Gel plates are designed for use with printmaking inks and acrylic paints are not recommended.

Speedball Gel Printing Plates were specially formulated for use with printmaking inks, and are ideally-suited for use with Akua inks. Akua Intaglio Inks are also compatible with other brands of gel printing plates, but cannot be used with homemade gelatin plates as these plates will resist the ink due to their soy base. Akua Liquid Pigment Inks may be used both with competitive gel printing plates and homemade gelatin plates.