There’s little doubt that creating prints with a Gel Press Plate is addicting. Color, pattern, and texture combine to make imagery that’s wonderfully unique.
There are many ways to add texture to a print and one of the simplest is by making marks in the paint (or ink, or whatever) before pulling the print. Rubber stamps are one option for texture and the one I’m focusing on in today’s video.
When you think about the mechanics of working with a rubber stamp in the usual fashion where the stamp is inked and then pressed on a surface you understand why, when you hold the stamp in your hand and look at the rubber, numbers and letters are reversed. They need to be in order for them to print with the correct orientation. Now think about pressing a stamp with numbers or text on a Gel Press Plate. Pressing the stamp into the paint causes the numbers or text to appear , in the correct orientation. Pulling the print reverses what texture is made in the paint and renders your numbers or text in a mirror image in your print.
Ooops. That’s not what anyone wants, assuming the text or numbers are meant to be read as part of the print and are not just random patterning.
Enter Carabelle’s Art Printing Rubber Textures which look very much like a naked rubber stamp. No wood mount or cushion, or in the case of a cling mounted stamp, no cling. Just the rubber with the imagery on one side and the plain back on the other.
Where Art Printing Textures are different from rubber stamps is that any numbers or text have been deliberately reversed so when they’re used as I just described, everything reads correctly on the print. That will make more sense once you view the video where you’ll also see that while you can use the Textures like a rubber stamp, any with numbers or text will print mirrored. I promise, it’s simple and not as confusing as it may seem.
If you’re looking for a new way to add texture to your prints, these Textures from Carabelle are just the thing. If you’re looking for ways to add text or numbers to your prints… for that? They’re perfect!
Supplies For This Video:
3 Comments
OMGoodness – this is sooooo cool – gonna do it on fabric 🙂
Barb, I always look forward to Wednesday’s Muse! I happen to be getting ready to gelli print, and of course, I will be adding wonderful texture with my texture plates. Printing with my Gel Press Plates is one of my most favorite pastimes. Have a wonderful week. If you ever come to Freeport for some shopping, let me know and we’ll meet for coffee!
Fabulous video! So informative and clear, lots of great explanation of your decision process and best of all, beautiful results!