The focal point, involving a flexible printing surface and a major arts and crafts retailer, allows for a simplified monotype printing process. These pliable, gelatinous slabs, when paired with acrylic paints and various textures, facilitate the creation of unique, one-off prints. An example involves pressing leaves or stencils onto the painted surface before transferring the image to paper.
This printing method offers accessibility and immediacy, enabling artists and hobbyists to produce artwork without the complexities of traditional printmaking techniques. Its popularity stems from its versatility and the potential for experimentation. Its presence within the offerings of large retailers has significantly increased its availability, further democratizing the artistic process. Historically, the concept builds upon earlier forms of gelatin-based printing but has been modernized and adapted for wider use.