A Simple No-Mess Gelli Plate Recipe

No-mess. I am not kidding, and it is so easy. I have made many of these plates previously and ended up with a sink full of sticky dishes. I like art messes, but not cooking messes and so let’s get to work.

Gather your dishes:

  • 4-cup microwave-safe glass measuring cup
  • whisk
  • 6 x 10-inch metal brownie pan. (I found mine at a dollar store) Metal pans have flat, smooth bottoms

Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup rubbing alcohol
  • 3/4 cup cold water (Cold water is key. The gelatin starts to melt with warm water and that process is messy.)
  • 9 packets of unflavored gelatin
  • 3/4 cup glycerin

Instructions

Mix the rubbing alcohol and cold water in the glass measuring cup. Use the scale on the side of the large measuring cup for a total of 1 1/2 cups liquid. Add the gelatin packets one at a time. Sprinkle on the surface of the liquid slowly enough that the gelatin gets wet immediately. Try to avoid getting the gelatin on the sides of the measuring cup. It is not necessary to stir as long as the gelatin granules are getting wet. If dry granules began sitting on the top of the surface gently stir with the wire whisk just until the granules are damp. Stir gently with the whisk.

Notice the measurement on the side of the measuring cup. Mine was 1 3/4. Add the glycerin until the measuring cup shows 2 1/2 cups of liquid.

Stir with the whisk for about 30 seconds to make sure that everything is mixed well.

Microwave in a ventilated kitchen. The rubbing alcohol fumes are strong, turn the fan on and don’t breathe the fumes.

  • Microwave for 1 minutes and then stir gently
  • Microwave for 1 minute and then stir gently
  • continue microwaving and string in 30 second increments until the liquid is clear and beginning to boil.
  • let sit undisturbed for 5 minutes to cool slightly and allowing the air bubbles to come to the surface.
  • pour gently into the metal pan.
  • wait 3-4 hours and your gelli plate is ready.

Wash 3 dishes

The whisk, measuring cup, and the metal pan. That only takes a minute and now you have more time to print.