Designed with printmaking in mind, Speedball Gel Printing Plates are formulated to have a smaller profile than competitive offerings, allowing them to produce unparalleled levels of detail that add unexpected and rich dimension to prints when used with any printmaking ink. Because of its unique formulation, it is not recommended for use with traditional or craft acrylic paints. Speedball Gel Printing Plates allow artists to add new dimension and detail to their works by way of a nearly endless selection of tools and materials. Use items from nature like leaves, twigs and ferns to create complex and highly-detailed botanical prints; incorporate stencils and fabrics to introduce geometric patterns; or use basic household items like bubble wrap and cotton swabs to build visual interest without breaking the bank! Speedball?s Gel Printing Plates also offer the most potential to get rich and dynamic ghost prints in that they are able to retain the most ink from the initial print, resulting in series variation. Speedball Gel Printing Plates are ideally-suited for use with any Speedball printmaking inks. From Speedball Water-Soluble Block Printing Ink or Akua Intaglio Ink for printing on paper to Speedball Fabric Screen Printing Ink for custom patterns on fabrics, Gel Printing Plates allow artists to leave their mark on a variety of substrates for everything from DIY crafts to fine art. Speedball Gel Printing Plates do not need to be cleaned in between printing and re-working the plate. Often times, the remaining ink residue can create additional and unexpected dimension to future prints when left uncleaned. When finished printing, cleaning the plate can be done easily with mild soap or baby wipes. Once the plate has been cleaned and patted dry, it is recommended to store the the plate in it's original packaging (including the plastic protective sheets) or laying it on a smooth, clean, non-porous surface. Always keep the plate away from any items that may indent, mar or scratch its delicate surface. Be sure to never let ink dry on the plate. Speedball gel printing plates make it easy for hobbyists and Fine artists alike to create beautiful, one-of-a-kind prints for mixed media art, card-making, journaling and more For best results, use printmaking Inks such as akua intaglio, akua liquid pigment, Speedball block printing Inks, and Speedball screen printing Inks Oil-based paints, tempera paints, and slow-drying Acrylic paints are also suitable Speedball gel printing plates offer the optimal durometer and thickness to create prints with exquisite detail Speedball gel printing plates clean up easily with soap and water or baby Wipes and stack neatly and store in the sturdy, well-labeled box