In order to get every element of a mandala the same, it makes sense to use a printing technique. Obviously with printing, there is always an aspect of difference between each print, depending on how the paint/ink has connected with the printing block and then the surface. I did some experimenting with found objects such as jewellery, pins, charms, coins and pen lids.
I also tried printing leaves but the effects were so different each time that I didn't think they'd make good prints for mandalas. Other people have used leaves to create natural mandalas though by using the entire leaf rather than just an imprint of it.