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Gel Press Experiments with Reactive Inks

Feb 19, 2021 Jessica Frost-Ballas

Good morning! I decided to do a little crafty experimenting this week with my gel press. I've had one for forever but I'd never gotten around to using it. I don't have any acrylic paint but decided that I'd see how it worked with Hero Hues Reactive inks!

So a general disclaimer here...I've NEVER used my gel press before and I know I have A LOT to learn (ha) but I can see the potential here for lots of crafty fun and I'm excited to keep experimenting!

I started by swiping Fruit Punch, Lemon Drop, and Creamsicle Reactive inks onto the surface of the gel press. I spritzed them with water and used a brayer to move them around. Then I pressed a piece of Dove White cardstock over the surface of my gel press to transfer the ink. This left a light impression on my cardstock.

I repeated the process with more ink but this time before I pressed the cardstock to the gel press I placed the new Art Deco Lotus stencil on the gel press. Then I took the same piece of cardstock and pressed it over the stencil and gel press.  The darker colors transferred to the cardstock but left the design of the stencil. I know this is totally like gel press basics 101 but I was smitten! I made 5 different backgrounds and then my kitten knocked a glass of water onto my desk and ruined all but one. *Sigh*.

To finish the card I kept it simple and stamped a sentiment from the new Big Hugs Stamp & Cut onto Pitch Black cardstock with Embossing & Watermark ink and heat embossed it with White Embossing Powder. Then I die-cut the rest of the sentiment with Pitch Black cardstock. I simply adhered them to the panel with foam mounting tape and let the background shine! I'm so glad I finally took the gel press out and I can't wait to try it again. Is there anything in your craft room you've never used? What are you waiting for! ;)  

Thanks so much for stopping by today!  Have a great rest of your week!

Click on products to shop:

SA160 Art Deco Lotus Stencil - Hero Arts
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DC283 Big Hugs Stamp & Cut - Hero Arts
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AF421 Fruit Punch Reactive Ink - Hero...
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AF423 Lemon Drop Reactive Ink - Hero...
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AF422 Creamsicle Reactive Ink - Hero...
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PS325 Hero Hues Dove white - Hero Arts
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PS323 Hero Hues Premium Cardstock...
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AF419 Clear Embossing & Watermark Ink...
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PW110 White Embossing Powder - Hero Arts
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3 Responses

Paula Haller

Paula Haller

February 23, 2021

This is fun! I love the color and texture you achieved. May have to get me a gel press!

Cynthia O.

Cynthia O.

February 19, 2021

Great gel print background, Jessica! I LOVE my gel printing plate. I have only used acrylic paints with mine and water color paper. Will have to give the reactive inks a try. Thanks for the inspiration!

Melissa SunshineHoneyBee

Melissa SunshineHoneyBee

February 19, 2021

Wonderful artsy background. Not used a gel press before. Sorry kitten knocked over water. My 2 dogs have swishy tails so I have to be careful that their tail will not knock over anything but t has happened to all of us and we still luv them.
My Feb Kit has now arrived in Dallas, TX and is on its way to Plano and will soon be on its way to me.
Melissa
“Sunshine HoneyBee”

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