Since the launch of our new Grip Mats, we have received some questions about how our Grip Mats compare to gel plates (also called gel printing plates) which can also provide a way to hold paper and stencils.

To answer your questions, we took a look at two commercially-made gel plates on the market, Gelli Arts and Gel Press, and gathered the information below to help you determine if our Grip Mats are right for you! To make this comparison as helpful to our customers as possible, we looked at the intended uses, materials, physical properties, and user experiences for Grip Mats and gel plates. 

Please keep in mind that this comparison is not intended as a review of gel plates or Grip Mats. We simply want to provide as much information as we can so that you can decide what works for you. 

Intended Use

Gel Plates

Gel plates were intended to be used to apply media to paper. As many of you already know, they are excellent for monoprinting and printmaking. 

Waffle Flower Grip Mats

Our Grip Mats were developed to hold paper and stencil in place while ink blending.

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As with all new art and craft supplies, we fully expect that the creative community will discover new and innovative ways to use our Grip Mats just like they have with gel plates. 

Materials

Gel Plates

According to Gelli Art, the gel plate is "made with mineral oil and is a hypoallergenic polymer material." (source) The words "polygel", and "gel" are used when describing the product on the Gel Press website.

Waffle Flower Grip Mats

Our Grip Mats are made from photopolymer. No oil is used in the production of our Grip Mats. In the making of our Grip Mats, a special process is applied to produce the desired level of "tackiness" or "stickiness" in the final product.

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The term “polymer” is a generic term that refers to natural and man-made substances made up from individual monomers often linked in chains. The term refers to the structure and applies to widely different materials including plastics like nylons, polyester, polyethylene and more. The property of each polymer varies according to the type of monomers of which it is composed. Our Grip Mats are made from "photopolymer" that contains photoreactive chemical that turns the material from liquid to a solid.

Our Grip Mats were developed to be compatible with our Water Media and Stencil Mats which are made from silicone. Mineral oil which is used in some gel plates is known to be incompatible with silicone. 

Physical Properties

Gel Plates

The gel plates we looked at both measure 3/8" thick and are available in sizes suitable for monoprinting. According to Gel Press, the gel plate surface is "sensitive to capture more detail and texture". (source) 

Waffle Flower Grip Mats

The profile of our Grip Mats is lower than the gel plates (see a photo comparison below). When developing the Grip Mats, we chose 6 different sizes that would be compatible with our existing stenciling products or could be used with stamp positioning tools frequently used by cardmakers and papercrafters. 

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By design, the surface of the Grip Mats is thinner, less sensitive to touch, and has a more rigid and supportive feel.

User Experience

Gel Plates

Gel plates have a soft and squishy feel and are very pliable. They are designed to capture the details and enhance whatever you are transferring.

Waffle Flower Grip Mats

Grip Mats are more rigid than gel plates but have a slight amount of “give”. The thinness of our Grip Mats means they are less bulky and have a lower profile when attached to work surfaces or platforms. The photopolymer material itself is very sturdy and will keep its shape and structure when cared for properly. This sturdiness makes it easy when you want to move or reposition your Grip Mat. Our Grip Mats have more gripping power on stencils by design.

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We hope this information answers your questions about gel plates and Grip Mats and, more importantly, we hope it helps you decide if our Grip Mats are suited for your needs! 

As cardmakers and papercrafters ourselves, we’ve experienced many of the same challenges in the craftroom as our customers. We always encourage our customers to use what they already have if it works for them, but we will always strive to develop tools and products to improve your crafting experience!