Gelli Plate

Gelli Arts: Pioneering Gel Plate Printing

Gelli Arts® revolutionised monoprinting with the launch of their innovative gel printing plates. These unique Gelli Plates capture the sensitive surface of traditional gelatine printing without the perishability.

Gelli Printing Plates are durable, reusable, and non-toxic. They offer an intuitive and accessible method for creating monoprints on paper or fabric. Whether you’re experimenting with texture, layering, or masks and stencils, Gelli Plates bring immediacy and joy to the printmaking process.

Founded by Joan Bess and Lou Ann Gleason, Gelli Arts grew from a shared passion for creativity and invention. Joan, an experienced paper artist, had long been drawn to the possibilities of gelatine printing but was frustrated by the limitations of perishable homemade plates. Lou Ann, a product developer and marketing expert, saw potential in creating a permanent, user-friendly alternative. Together, they developed a plate that mimicked the feel of gelatine but could be stored at room temperature, cleaned easily, and used repeatedly without degradation.

Today, Gelli Arts gel printing plates are beloved by artists, educators, and hobbyists for their accessibility, quality, and versatility. The brand continues to champion creativity with the motto: Our goal is to get everyone printing.

Gelli Plates work beautifully with a wide variety of media, including acrylic paints, watersoluble inks, fabric paints, and alcohol inks. They are latex-free, gelatine-free, and contain no animal products, making them safe for artists with allergies and suitable for vegan art practices.

Whether you're experimenting with gelli plate printing techniques using stencils and textures, working with gel plates for printing botanical impressions, or simply exploring monoprinting for the first time, gel printing plates help bridge the gap between professional printmaking and accessible artmaking.