I’ve spent much of today looking for a large (24″ square, or thereabouts) shallow tray or pan to use in gelatin printing. It needs, obviously, to be watertight, or I would just make up something out of foam core or cardboard. (I’m very handy with a utility knife, and *no one* surpasses me with the duct tape.)
I’ve looked in paint stores, garden centers, even plumbing supply places for a shower pan. I’ve called restaurant supply stores to see how big jelly roll pans get. (Not big enough; they have this odd idea that jelly roll pans should fit into the oven.) I’ve looked at photographic suppliers for darkroom trays. So far, the biggest thing I’ve been able to find is about 16″ x 20″.
It’s possible to use a glass base and build up a clay dam to hold the gelatin — I’ve done that for plates about 14″ x 18″ — but that’s way more trouble than this project is worth.
So I don’t know where else to look. Any bright ideas out there?
June 28th, 2005 at 7:29 pm
in the book ” making monotypes using gelatin plate” by nancy marculewicz she recommends a
glass plate and a clay dam using childrens plastic clay…then you remove the clay when the
gelatin hardens…i have tried this works like a charm…ginger I love to montype..something
about it…looking forward to your results
June 28th, 2005 at 7:33 pm
Yes… as I mentioned above, I’ve done this before, but I hated it. It’s messy and the clay never quite seals, so you get gelatin goo all over the place. Besides, I don’t have a glass sheet large enough for what I need. But thank you for the suggestion!
Don’t worry, I’ll post results. Once I figure out how to get them. :)
June 28th, 2005 at 7:54 pm
Hi! Could you make a tray out of plexiglass? I know our local hardware store will cut it for me and then you could use silicon caulk or rubber cement. I may just be blathering, but it is an idea. Good luck. Jeannie
June 28th, 2005 at 10:05 pm
Would 18″ x 26″ do or is that just too narrow? I’ve seen that size on some online restaurant supply places both in a 1″ baking sheet and a deeper (2 or 2 1/2″ maybe) baking pan. Otherwise I’m afraid I’m clueless!
June 29th, 2005 at 6:53 am
Kitty Litter trays?
June 29th, 2005 at 7:40 am
Rubbermaid or its rival Sterlite make large plastic boxes which may be bigger than you need, but are cheap and easy to find.
June 29th, 2005 at 7:52 am
I went to the Hold Everything and the Container stores when I needed an unusual sized plastic box. Maybe some sort of sweater box that fits under the bed?
June 29th, 2005 at 3:52 pm
The auto supply store! My husband has a big metal tray, looks kinda like a cookie sheet, you put it under an engine while you change the oil or whatever (I don’t do car stuff). It’s big too, at least 3′ x 2′.
June 29th, 2005 at 4:00 pm
Ha! Two inspired ideas — kitty litter pans and oil changing drip pans! Why didn’t I think of those? Thank you! :)
Off to the shopping center that has both an Auto Zone and a Pet Supplies Plus in it.
July 3rd, 2005 at 12:33 pm
For a big tray, try looking for an under-washer one. A big home improvement store will have them – I saw one at Menard’s this morning for about $13. I would have picked it up for you since I was there, but….. ;o) … It was 28″X30″, I think, white plastic and about 2-3″ deep. I’m going to get one (eventually) to use as a dye tray for a slightly smaller alternative to the big (heavy) wood/formica ones DH made me.