GEL PRINTING AT HOME

You probably arrived at this blog as you recently took a Gel Printing workshop with me, or if you've stumbled across it and haven't been to a workshop yet, I'd love to welcome you into my Tokyo studio soon. Details of upcoming classes are at the end of this post.
To help you on your gel printing journey, I created a basic list of the things you will need to continue your printing at home, based on the materials and tools we use in the workshops. Gel printing is not the cheapest hobby to start, but once you're up and running you will only need paint and paper to create your original art. In the long run, this is probably the cheapest craft/ art you will ever do!

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1. GEL PLATE(S)

My favourite size of Gel Plate is the 8 x 10 inch plate.
This plate is great for A4 monotype prints and for using as a mixing palette.
This is the one we use most in the workshops.

SHOP 8 x 10 Gel Plate

SHOP Round Gel Plate

SHOP TINY PLATES

2. BRAYER (ROLLER)

The brayer we use most in the workshops at Studio Biku is 10cm. This size is not too big, not too small and is easy to handle. A perfect workhorse for most projects.

SHOP 10cm brayer

Larger plates require a completely different skill-set due to paint drying time. Get your paint on the plate quickly (before it dries) with a giant 20cm roller or use it to push out the air bubbles during magazine image transfer projects (Gel Printing 2 workshop).

SHOP 20cm BRAYER

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3. PAPER

Copy paper is the simplest to find,  the cheapest option of all the papers and yields pretty good results.
Perfect for beginners, useful for clean-up and roll-off and works effectively on the plate.

SHOP COPY PAPER

If you do mostly dry pulling and love the look of a perfectly clean plate, then calligraphy paper is for you.
We use this type of paper in all the workshops.
The added bonus of calligraphy paper is that it collages so well due to the light weight and the slightly rough reverse side.

SHOP CALLIGRAPHY PAPER

Tracing paper is perfect for detailed areas when using stencils on your plate. The thin paper can get in-between the stencil gaps and cleanly removes all the excess paint.
Tracing paper prints are also fabulous for collage.

SHOP TRACING PAPER

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4. BAREN

In the workshops we mainly use our hands to apply the paper to the plate, but if you need a little help with your smoothing, try a baren to get great contact between the paper and the paint (and to give your hands a rest).

SHOP BAREN

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5. ACRYLIC PAINT & MEDIUM

In the workshops we use mostly Amsterdam acrylic paints in 120ml tubes. I buy big tubes as I print everyday and teach workshops. As you need a lot less paint than you think, buying smaller tubes for at-home use will save you money.
A starter set is a perfect way to get range of colours in smaller 20ml tubes or if you think you will be printing often, and on bigger plates, then a set of 120 ml tubes is a great option (works out cheaper than buying them individually).

SHOP ACRYLIC 12 COLOUR SET

SHOP ACRYLIC 24 COLOUR SET

SHOP ACRYLIC 120ML SET

My preference is for Matte Medium...and very high quality gives the best results.

SHOP MATTE MEDIUM

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6. ALCOHOL INKS

The better quality the inks, the better the colour and usability. I recommend either Pinata, Ranger by Tim Holtz or Copic Re-inkers. Buying a range of colours to start you off is a good way to save a few ¥.

SHOP PINATA INKS

SHOP RANGER INKS

SHOP COPIC RE-INKERS

SHOP BLENDING SOLUTION

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7. OTHER THINGS YOU DON'T REALLY NEED (BUT ARE NICE)

POSCA markers are fabulous to use directly on the plate and for adding detail to your prints and collages after they are dry.

SHOP POSCA MARKERS

Chalk pastels work well on the gel plate for transferring your drawings. I prefer to use good quality pastels for better pigmentation.
Cheaper ones might work fine if you are OK with a more muddy palette. Give it a go and let me know what the results are.

SHOP SOFT PASTELS

Layering stencils is a perfect way to add dimension to your prints. Before learning how to make your own stencils (Gel Printing 3 workshop), why not have a go with some commercial ones.

SHOP STENCILS

Good quality drawing pencils transfer to the gel plate much better than the cheaper versions, especially if you draw with pressure.

SHOP DRAWING PENCILS

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7. FREE OR CHEAP

While I won't skimp on quality materials such as paint, drawing pencils and chalk pastels, there are some things I've found at the ¥100 store or even for free around my home.

FROM ¥100 Store
Crayons for transfer prints
Plastic table protector
Non-slip mat
Wet wipes, tissues and paper towels for clean up
Textural items (lunch mats, silicone mats, sponges)

FOR FREE
Textural items from food packaging
Cardboard
Bubble wrap
Anything you are about to throw away that is broken may have a potential use
Glossy magazines, flyers
Other free papers for printing on top or for roll-off

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UPCOMING GEL PRINTING CLASSES IN SPRING 2024

MASTER Gel Printing 2: Transfer Techniques Workshop

¥6,000

Sold out

BOOK YOUR SEAT

MASTER Gel Printing 3: Collographs, Masks & Stencils Workshop

¥6,000

Sold out

BOOK YOUR SEAT

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FULL WORKSHOP LINE-UP

Subscribers are ALWAYS the first to know when new classes launch.

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