Gel Printing on Furniture!

Hi friends! Before you run away saying  “oh no, here she goes again like that time she painted her sofa…” let me ease your fears. 😀 This project is fun, easy and forgiving and will breath new life into an old piece of wooden furniture. (And nobody’s going to complain that it hurts to sit on LOL!)

My sister gave me this old end table with a built-in bookshelf about a year ago. I had intended to paint it and sell in at the antiques shop I used to rent a booth at but that never happened. Ironically it wasn’t until I closed that chapter of my life that I had time and desire to tackle this project.

I used a product that I really enjoy using but I don’t that often because I have put this prejudice in my head that gel printing is a big hairy ordeal when it is not. Especially when you use the smaller plates like stamps. It makes it more approachable. If you don’t have a gel printing plate can simply apply paint through the stencils with a sponge and build layers that way. I reckon you could also use “gel window clings” for a similar effect as the small gel plates, they are not as durable but I think it would get you through a project or two.

Do you want to give it a try? Watch the video and see how easy and fun it is!

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Supplies:

• Old furniture such as an end table

• Chalk paint for base coat

• Acrylic paint 

• Gel printing plates such as Gelli Arts TM, or Gel Press

• Stencils

• Large acrylic stamping blocks or plexiglass for holding the gel plates  or use plastic die cut cutting plates if you have them:)

• Water Based polyurethane/sealer

• Paintbrushes

• Stencil brush or cosmetic sponge

• Soft rubber brayer

Project pointers!

1. Use chalk paint for the base coat, it alleviates the need to prime and prep the surface, just wipe it with a damp cloth before painting and you are good to go.  The matte surface also hold the regular acrylic paint you are printing with.

2. Layer til you like it! Don’t be afraid of the “hot mess stage” just keep on adding more prints until you like the look. It get ugly before it gets pretty:)

3. Wash your varnish brushes right away…don’t ask me how I came up with this tip. Note to self: Put varnish brushes on my next art supply shopping list.

4. Sleep on it. If you are stuck on the design or not sure if you are done or want to do more take a break. You will have better judgement about your project after you have been apart from it.

Unlike the poor old painted couch my family loved this project and both of my daughters wanted it so I guess I better keep my eyes open for another old end table to print on. Thanks for stopping by and til next time happy crafting.