Turn Rubbish Into Art! Gel Printing with Things You’d Normally Throw Away
Clare Cosens Designs
2,103 views
In this video, I’m creating beautiful, layered textures on my gel plate using rubbish, things you’d normally throw away. This is part of Days 36–43 of my 100 Day Project, where I’m exploring creative ways to build texture through gel printing.
I’ve been diving into my recycling bin and a stash of saved packaging, experimenting with how these overlooked materials can transform into unique printing tools. From bold, graphic patterns to softer, more organic marks, each piece brings something unexpected to the plate.
This process is all about playful exploration—discovering how different shapes, surfaces, and materials can create striking, one-of-a-kind prints.
If you’re looking for fresh inspiration, this is your reminder that some of the most interesting tools are the ones you already have at home.
✨ Let me know in the comments:
What unusual objects have you tried on your gel plate?
👍 If you’re enjoying this creative journey, don’t forget to like this video and subscribe so you don’t miss the next instalment of the project!
More Video Tutorials in my 100 Day Project Series:
Day 1-7 Amazing Gel Plate Textures Using Only Copi...
Day 8-14 The Secret to Incredible Gel Print Texture...
Day 15-21 Gel Printing Circles: So Simple, So Effect...
Day 22-28 Unleash Your Creativity: Gelli Printing wi...
Day 29-35 Gel Printing Magic! Create Stunning Textur...
Materials List
8"x8" Daler Rowney Sketchbook 160gsm
6"x6" Gelli Art Gel Plate
Brayer/roller
Polystyrene, biscuit packaging, packaging, corrugated cardboard, pill packet, embossed paper and bottle netting.
3mm Perspex
Acrylic Paint: Paynes Grey, Pink, Violet Cobalt Dark, Yellow Ochre, Transparent Scarlet and Turquoise.
⏱ TIME STAMPS
00:00 Introduction
00:47 Gel Printing with Polystyrene
02:42 Biscuit Packaging Gel Printing Textures
04:31 Printing with Cardboard Packaging on the Gel Plate
05:38 Gel Printing with a Corrugated Card Packaging and Pill Packet
06:42 Embossed Paper Gel Print Texture
07:25 Gel Printing with Honeycomb Packaging
08:05 Mark making with Netting from a Bottle
08:59 Re-visiting Gel Printing with Polystyrene
10:41 Creating Multi Layered Print Using Polystyrene
11:55 Final Gel Prints & Weekly Recap
You can also follow my daily progress on Instagram:
📷 Instagram: c.cosens
Thank you so much for being here and supporting this creative adventure 💛
📩 FREE Mini-Course – Mastering The One-Pull Print
Sign up to my newsletter to receive my free gel printing mini-course, plus a bonus video on how to prepare botanicals for gel printing:
https://clarecosensdesigns.com/pages/...
8 Comments
I know you’re a big fan of yellow ochre and it can be pretty next to other colors ….. And it is a fairly dull member of that family. Would love to see you try a slightly more vibrant yellow :-)
Hi from San Francisco 💙🫠💙
Turn Rubbish Into Art! Gel Printing with Things You’d Normally Throw Away
Clare Cosens Designs
2,103 views
In this video, I’m creating beautiful, layered textures on my gel plate using rubbish, things you’d normally throw away. This is part of Days 36–43 of my 100 Day Project, where I’m exploring creative ways to build texture through gel printing.
I’ve been diving into my recycling bin and a stash of saved packaging, experimenting with how these overlooked materials can transform into unique printing tools. From bold, graphic patterns to softer, more organic marks, each piece brings something unexpected to the plate.
This process is all about playful exploration—discovering how different shapes, surfaces, and materials can create striking, one-of-a-kind prints.
If you’re looking for fresh inspiration, this is your reminder that some of the most interesting tools are the ones you already have at home.
✨ Let me know in the comments:
What unusual objects have you tried on your gel plate?
👍 If you’re enjoying this creative journey, don’t forget to like this video and subscribe so you don’t miss the next instalment of the project!
More Video Tutorials in my 100 Day Project Series:
Day 1-7 Amazing Gel Plate Textures Using Only Copi...
Day 8-14 The Secret to Incredible Gel Print Texture...
Day 15-21 Gel Printing Circles: So Simple, So Effect...
Day 22-28 Unleash Your Creativity: Gelli Printing wi...
Day 29-35 Gel Printing Magic! Create Stunning Textur...
Materials List
8"x8" Daler Rowney Sketchbook 160gsm
6"x6" Gelli Art Gel Plate
Brayer/roller
Polystyrene, biscuit packaging, packaging, corrugated cardboard, pill packet, embossed paper and bottle netting.
3mm Perspex
Acrylic Paint: Paynes Grey, Pink, Violet Cobalt Dark, Yellow Ochre, Transparent Scarlet and Turquoise.
⏱ TIME STAMPS
00:00 Introduction
00:47 Gel Printing with Polystyrene
02:42 Biscuit Packaging Gel Printing Textures
04:31 Printing with Cardboard Packaging on the Gel Plate
05:38 Gel Printing with a Corrugated Card Packaging and Pill Packet
06:42 Embossed Paper Gel Print Texture
07:25 Gel Printing with Honeycomb Packaging
08:05 Mark making with Netting from a Bottle
08:59 Re-visiting Gel Printing with Polystyrene
10:41 Creating Multi Layered Print Using Polystyrene
11:55 Final Gel Prints & Weekly Recap
You can also follow my daily progress on Instagram:
📷 Instagram: c.cosens
Thank you so much for being here and supporting this creative adventure 💛
📩 FREE Mini-Course – Mastering The One-Pull Print
Sign up to my newsletter to receive my free gel printing mini-course, plus a bonus video on how to prepare botanicals for gel printing:
https://clarecosensdesigns.com/pages/...