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Gel Printing: An Innovative Approach within the CLENA Project


As part of the international project CLENA: Raising Climate Change and Sustainable Environmental Awareness for Children with Special Education Needs, CUDV Dobrna explored new ways of artistic expression. One particularly engaging activity was gel printing, an innovative art technique that opens up creative possibilities for individuals of all abilities.

Gel printing involves the use of a soft gel plate and acrylic paints to create unique prints. Participants apply colors and natural materials or stencils to the plate, then gently press paper onto it. The result is a richly textured, organic-looking image that encourages exploration of color, pattern, and form.

This technique was enthusiastically received at our institution. Its simplicity and tactile nature make it especially suitable for both students and adult users with intellectual disabilities. Each participant was able to create something unique—without fear of mistakes, without strict rules, and with plenty of creative freedom.

Gel printing also proved to be an excellent way to connect with nature, as we often used leaves, flowers, twigs, and other natural materials collected from our surroundings. In doing so, we blended artistic creation with environmental exploration, which is a core principle of the CLENA project.

More than just a creative activity, gel printing was also therapeutic—through contact with textures, colors, and natural elements, our users expressed emotions, strengthened fine motor skills, and experienced success in new and meaningful ways.

Gel printing has shown us that art is not reserved for professional artists. It is a space where everyone can find their own form of expression. Within the CLENA project, it became a bridge between nature, creativity, and inclusion.


🌿 What Is Gel Printing?

Gel printing is a form of monoprinting done with a soft, reusable plate made from gelatine or synthetic alternatives. Using acrylic paints, textures, and found materials like leaves or flowers, users create richly layered prints that are always one of a kind.

What makes gel printing special is that there are no rules and no mistakes—just exploration and expression.

🧪 Make Your Own Gel Plate – Easy Recipe

Creating your own gel plate is simple, affordable, and a great way to involve participants from the start.

Ingredients:

  • 100 g unflavored gelatin powder

  • 600 ml distilled water (room temperature)

  • 100 ml glycerin (adds flexibility and longevity)

  • Optional: a few drops of alcohol or natural preservative

Instructions:

  1. Bloom the gelatin: Mix the powder with 300 ml of water and let it sit for 10–15 minutes.

  2. Heat the rest of the water (not boiling), then slowly stir in the bloomed gelatin until fully dissolved.

  3. Add the glycerin and any preservative, and stir thoroughly.

  4. Pour the mixture into a shallow tray (about 2 cm deep) and let it cool and set completely (at least 4–6 hours).

  5. Once firm, gently remove it from the tray. Store covered in a fridge for long-term use.

This gel plate can be reused many times and offers a smooth surface ideal for printing.

🖌️ Step-by-Step Gel Printing

  1. Place your gel plate on a clean, flat surface.

  2. Roll a thin layer of acrylic paint onto the plate using a brayer.

  3. Lay down natural objects like leaves, flowers, grass, or even stencils.

  4. Press a piece of paper (preferably smooth and slightly heavier) over the surface and rub gently.

  5. Peel off the paper to reveal your print!

  6. Experiment with multiple layers, "ghost prints", or different textures.

💡 Why It Works So Well

Gel printing is:

  • Inclusive – no fine motor precision or prior knowledge needed

  • Sensory-friendly – rich in textures, movement, and color

  • Creative – every print is unique and unrepeatable

  • Connected with nature – we often used found materials from our surroundings

For participants in the CLENA Erasmus+ project, this activity helped foster confidence, emotional expression, and joy. It created a shared space where everyone could participate equally and proudly present their artistic creations.

🌍 Art That Builds Bridges

Through this project, we discovered that art can be a bridge—between people, between nature and creativity, between touch and expression. Gel printing was not just a technique; it became a tool of empowerment and inclusion.

We encourage educators, therapists, and creative facilitators to try it themselves and feel its magic.

#CLENA #ErasmusPlus #GelPrinting #InclusiveArt #CreativeLearning #NatureAndArt #TactileCreativity






































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