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I Tested Medical Exam Paper for Gel Printing and You Won't Believe the Results

FroyleArt

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This week, I’m testing something completely new on the gel plate — medical exam paper! The lovely ‪@PaintedPaperStudio‬ Jackie Bernardi sent me some to try, and of course I wanted to know: is it actually good for gel printing?

I’m putting this paper through its paces with some of my favourite gel printing techniques and looking at three things in particular — absorbency, strength and transparency.

How well does it take the paint? Can it withstand multiple layers and the general enthusiasm of a gel printing session? And just how transparent does it become when we start using those beautiful printed papers in collage?

Rather than simply making one print, I want to really experiment with the paper and see how it behaves. I’ll be layering, printing, pulling and testing it in different ways to discover what works, what doesn’t, and where this unusual paper might fit into my mixed media practice.

I’ve never used medical exam paper before, so I’m going into this experiment with absolutely no idea how it will perform.
Come and create with me as I put it through its paces and find out — is medical exam paper good for gel printing?

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20 Comments

@AlishasCraftyChaos 4 hours ago (edited)

To many of us, the crinkles are part of its charm. ❤ So happy you got a chance to test this out!

@melissabrauenart 5 hours ago

So nice Jackie Bernardi sent you some to try. I watch her channel too, and she uses McKesson Crepe style paper from Amazon (on her website) There are other types that have a matte side and shiny side tho - I just realized - and I think that is the one that I just ordered. Oh well.... other creators like it too, so I'll see. Also Ms Bernardi used gloss medium to collage this paper and if I'm not mistaken, she sprays water on it first for more transparency. Don't hold me to that, but I also do that with some of my papers for smoother applications. Hope this helps and glad you're enjoying the papers so far.

@Gel_Inspirations 5 hours ago (edited)

I love it for collages - after the gel plate for the transparency. ! So happy you discovered it. Was interesting to see.Thank you for including a Gel Inspiration transfer in your beautiful work.

@Doris-i4x 2 hours ago

This looked fun😊. We are always experimenting & learning!!!❤❤❤

@JoanMMiron 3 hours ago

I don't mind the crinkles and I love the transparent quality. Your stream was great fun and informative.

@PaintedPaperStudio 3 hours ago

FROYLE!!! You are absolutely amazing, and I am so happy that you got around to using the medical exam paper and that you seem to enjoy it as much as you did! I'm going to try to answer a couple of your questions:

First, the brand of medical paper that I use, and the whole roll I sent you, was McKesson Crepe-Style medical exam paper. It's pretty easy to get in the US - really hard/expensive to get anywhere else. Fortunately, I have artists from all over the world who have tried other brands like Vevor, Vakley, Avalon, Dstock60 , Henry Schein, Kent, and Swedish Tracing Paper - mind you, I haven't tried any of these myself, but I've been told they work.

Second, I do think that the paper was wrinkling up (that much) for a couple of reasons. The medical exam paper is so absorbent that it's going to suck the moisture out of the paint as soon as it touches it. I think what was happening with the large sheets of paper is that once you laid it down, by the time you could go back and smooth it, it had already started wrinkling. I think maybe using smaller pieces of paper would help prevent some of that.

Froyle - you made some gorgeous papers, and your final test perfectly showed how amazing this paper is. You are going to have so much fun with it! 🥰

@teraperry1008 5 hours ago

I love medical exam paper! I'm cheap cheap so I feel ok testing different techniques and getting better at the one I love. Great video Froyle! I'm going to try your technique of putting paint down and then spraying it with water...love the organic look! I also love that you don't have to wait for the paint to dry😊

@frenchcreekbaker136 4 hours ago

Ok, you are killing me! That disclaimer that this collage wasn’t a finished piece, lol, Lordy Lordy! It is FABULOUS. May all my testers look even half as good.

The crinkle with the iridescent gold added an elegance. I get not everywhere may we want crinkles but even your crinkles added rather than detracted.

Such a fun test. Will you put the brand info here in a comment when you hear from Jacqui or just mention it in a future video?

@judymcnutt1 2 hours ago

Jackie uses matt medium first, sprays the painted exam paper with water, then covers with gel medium. If you prefer a less shiny finish, cover with a thin layer of matt medium. Yes the med exam paper is krinkle-prone, especially if you’re trying to lay down a huge piece. Embrace the krinkles as texture/ character. Not all exam papers are transparent. The shorter McKesson paper (the kind dr’s use on the headrest goes translucent, FYI. Have you played with Carnival wet-strength tissue paper yet? I’m a paper nerd, too, can you tell? LOL

@cindyhirz6328 4 hours ago (edited)

Great test showing what the medical exam paper can do! It does perform very well in many applications. However, it does crinkle a little bit on the gel plate. But it collages down beautifully. Also, it you spray the medical exam paper with water along with using the gloss medium aids in the transparency.

And actually, that looks like a full roll of the medical exam paper. It comes in a case of 12 rolls that size. Jackie Bernardi is very generous 😊

@EllenBergstrom-s4y 6 hours ago

I am in the US and wanted to try some after watching Jackie Bernardi use it. I had to buy 8 rolls. Before committing to that I wanted to try it first. When I went to see my doctor this week I asked his nurse if I could have a small piece to try. She gave me a full roll to try and told me I had to let her know how it worked out. I have not tried it yet, but I can't wait to try it.

@seabasket2 5 hours ago

Thanks for the testing. Great info.

@virginiawalton3711 5 hours ago

I like the crinkle marks

@MaryBrown-Momzahippie 3 hours ago

I think the crinkles are inevitable to a certain extent. I mainly use it when I want the transparency in collaging it. Thanks for another awesome video! Love seeing your process.

@MusingsFromTheDen 5 hours ago

9:27 I think the wrinkles added so much character to the design! ❤ Now you may have figured out what caused it, you could use it to your advantage. 😊

I love the final piece. 😊

@peggylee5021 2 hours ago

The papers you made are beautiful and I must try some of those gorgeous colors. This is my favorite paper because I love that it blends into the artwork. I like the crinkles and sometimes I crinkle it before putting on the plate. Love all of your videos❤

@JanineMKartist 3 hours ago (edited)

I found at least with the wet strength those plastic barons with the bumpy surface actually smooths out the wrinkles . you could try it with the medical exam. I can't remember if I tried that with the exam paper, but worked well with the wet strength .

@DrJones-nh4my 6 hours ago

that is so cool of Jacqui Bernadi to send you papers. I watch her videos, too. Very nice. :)

@gerripeter484 5 hours ago

Froyle thank you for doing the test so we don’t have to looks like it’s a good paper to use

@tcherinacombe9110 2 hours ago

Beautiful effects with that paper! Gotta get some. another one of my favorite paper that I use a lot of is the metallic gold flecked tissue paper, which you can tear into splotchy areas and it dries crystal clear leaving these beautiful gold flecks.