Great guide on gelatin printing.

I have experience with gelatin printing. I also own Gelli Plate Printing by Joan Bess (published in 2014 by different publisher).

First impressions on Gelli Arts Printing Guide by Suzanne McNeill: Straightforward, shows the basic use and then many variations with a lot of DIY tools (texture rollers, stamps, texture cards etc.). Great examples of projects other than 2D art prints. Instructions are sometime squeezed into a paragraph. Previous experience with crafting or art would be helpful in some projects. This would be a good guide as well for an adult who can translate instructions appropriately for younger age groups. Would be helpful to have a resource guide for items that might not be as readily available in craft stores. Plenty of ideas on technique and plenty of project ideas. I particularly liked turning the prints into 3D sculptures, practical gift pillows, quilts and bags. Per review, this edition is 88 pages and last edition was 48. There is a LOT packed into these 88 pages.

Comparison with Gelli Plate Printing by Joan Bess: The titles and covers look so similar I wondered if I owned the previous published book from Suzanne McNeill (2014). Bess book has more step-by-step that could be followed by a particularly crafty 10 year old. At 143 pages, there are more techniques listed, but not as many DIY tools as the McNeill book. The Bess book shows nearly only 2D art as examples, so the McNeill book has a definite advantage of what to do with all these prints, and trust me, Gelli plate printing is SO addicting, you will have stacks and stacks! Bess book has several pages on salvaging bad prints etc. McNeill book has page on registering prints (which is pretty important). McNeill book has two recipes for making your own gelatin plate-temporary or permanent.

Which book to get? Thats a tough one. I don’t think you’d go wrong either way. Seriously, I pondered for a long time….I wouldn’t be able to pick. I’d probably get them both from the library and then renew them until I couldn’t anymore. On the plus side, if you wanted both of them, you’d get different things out of each, which is pretty cool.