My Honest Amazon Review of the Gelli Arts 18x24 Poster-Sized Plate—After 4 Uses!

To start, let me say, I have 7 gel plates. 6 of mine are Gelli Arts brand plates, and I love 5 of them. This new 18x24 poster-sized plate, however, is a BIG disappointment.

All gel plates can be wonky, especially over time. Sadly, I noticed this one's deformities while filming an unpacking video. That was unfortunate, but I tried to ignore it. I have now used it four times, and I have to say after all the longing and saving up for it, I feel my $200+ was wasted.

One side of the plate is reasonably straight. The other 2 sides are straight but veer apart, making the 24 inches from one side to the other purely conceptual—only 24 inches at the corners on one side. Worse still, the 4th edge is curved, and the width for the so-called 18 inches is wildly varied from one end to the other—far over the line of acceptable wonkiness.

As a graphic designer, 18x24 (aka poster-size) appealed to me. I knew there were plenty of options for framing and displaying a true poster-sized artwork. You cannot achieve a poster-sized image with this plate. Full stop! There is too much crazy variation in the measurements. 

If for some reason the poster-sized(?) plates need to be this misshapen, at least Gelli Arts could make sure that the minimum size is 18x24 all over and let the wonkiness take place outside of that area. Then we could trim our final work down. We cannot stretch it. Or, perhaps, not sell something that they just cannot properly manufacture this large. 

I am sure lots of other gel artists love their big plate. I still want to love mine. I truly hope mine is a one-off and their investment brings them creative joy, but this is just too deformed. I have to constantly worry about compensations and workarounds after the pull.  Given the cost of good papers for pulls this size, the plate should fit/function well. Not recommended! 

You can view this page plate on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/4aCZvqB

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UPDATE: I have now seen that GelElf offers an 18x24 inch plate. If I win the lottery, I will give it a try. If you are shopping for a big gel plate, perhaps seek out reviews for this option: https://gelelf.com/products/gel-printing-plate?variant=50675621560610