Gel Plate Printing - Edwinstowe Library - Adult Learning

Discover the creative possibilities of gel plate printing in this hands-on and inspiring course. You will explore how to use a gel plate to create unique prints using colour, texture, and layering techniques. Through guided demonstrations and experimentation, you’ll develop your own creative style while producing a collection of printed papers and designs. This course encourages exploration, confidence, and creativity, while developing practical skills that can support further learning, wellbeing, and creative opportunities. Suitable for beginners and those with some experience.

Course Content:

- Introduction to Gel Plate Printing

- Understanding the tools and materials, including gel plates, brayers, acrylic paints, and printing surfaces

- Exploring safe and effective workspace set-up

Core Techniques:

- Applying paint evenly using a brayer

- Creating base layers and building depth through layering techniques

- Exploring colour mixing and blending

- Printing with:

- Stencils and masks

- Found and natural materials (e.g. leaves, textures, fabrics)

- Everyday objects to create pattern and texture

Creative Exploration:

- Experimenting with different processes (e.g. mono printing, ghost printing, reverse printing)

- Understanding how changing materials and methods affects outcomes

- Developing a personal approach to mark-making and composition

Project Work:

- Producing a series of original printed papers and designs

- Applying prints to simple creative outcomes such as cards, collage, or decorative pieces

Wider Skills Development:

- Exploring how creative activities support mental wellbeing and mindfulness

- Encouraging problem-solving, experimentation, and resilience through trial and error

You will need:

Apron or a big shirt (if want to protect your clothes)

Gel Plate & Brayer - if you have these, otherwise a set will be provided for you to use on the course

Mirco fiber cloth/ old face flannel or Wet wipes

Printing Media - Fabric or Cartridge paper or Copier Paper

Acrylic paint – basic colours will do (available at places such as The works, Range etc)

Funding and Fees

If you receive certain benefits, you may be able to take the course for free.
If money is stopping you from enrolling, please visit our funding page to see what help is available.

Living in England

To book and join one of our courses, you must live in England permanently and either:

• Live inside the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) area (Nottinghamshire or Derbyshire)

or

• Live outside the devolved areas listed below

You cannot enrol if you live in these devolved areas:

•    Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA)
•    Liverpool City Region Combined Authority

• Greater London Authority
•    North East Combined Authority
•    South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority
•    Tees Valley Combined Authority
•    West Midlands Combined Authority
•    West of England Combined Authority
•    West Yorkshire Combined Authority
•    Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority
•    York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority
•    Hull and East Yorkshire
•    Greater Lincolnshire
•    Devon and Torbay Combined County Authority
•    Cornwall Council
•    Lancashire Combined County Authority
•    Buckinghamshire

• Warwickshire

• Surrey

Residency Requirements (Additional Information)

If you live in the UK on a visa, we’ll need evidence of your visa to confirm funding. You can upload this when applying, and you’ll need to complete a short questionnaire.

Some exceptions include:

• Your visa must last until after your course ends.

• Asylum seekers must have lived in the UK for at least 6 months while their claim is being processed.

• You are supported by your local authority under Section 23C or 23CA of the Children Act 1989, or under the Care Act 2014.

Anyone who does not meet the funding criteria would need to pay full course fees.