Beginner's guide

So you're getting into resin art

Resin art is one of those hobbies where your first pour looks genuinely impressive — and where buying the wrong type of resin is the mistake almost everyone makes. Here's exactly what you need, what you can skip, and how to pour without ruining your workbench.

By Colin B. · Published May 23, 2026 · Last reviewed May 23, 2026

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The 60-second version

If you only buy 3 things to start:

LET'S RESIN Bubble Free Epoxy Resin Kit, 23oz — The go-to beginner epoxy kit — clear, self-leveling, and forgiving enough for your first dozen pours.
LET'S RESIN 18 Pcs Coaster Resin Molds Silicone Set — A versatile silicone coaster mold set that covers the most-made first project in the hobby.
Venom Steel Industrial Nitrile Gloves, 100-Count — Nitrile gloves — the one safety item you actually need every single time, no exceptions.

Budget total

$60

Typical total

$130

An epoxy starter kit plus molds, pigments, and safety supplies runs $60–130. Most of the upfront cost is the resin itself — pigments and molds are cheap and last for dozens of pours.

At a glance

Our top pick in each category

The fastest path through this guide — each best-starter pick by category. Scroll for the budget and upgrade alternatives.

Category	Top pick	Price	Where to buy
Resin	Let's ResinLET'S RESIN Bubble Free Epoxy Resin Kit, 23oz	$$	See on Amazon →
Molds	Let's ResinLET'S RESIN 18 Pcs Coaster Resin Molds Silicone Set	$	See on Amazon →
Pigments & Color	JacquardJacquard Pinata Alcohol Ink Set, Overtones Exciter Pack (9 Colors)	$$	See on Amazon →
Tools & Supplies	Let's ResinLET'S RESIN Silicone Measuring Cups Tool Set	$	See on Amazon →
Safety Gear	Venom SteelVenom Steel Industrial Nitrile Gloves, 100-Count	$	See on Amazon →

Before you buy anything

A few things worth knowing first

Epoxy and UV resin are not interchangeable. Epoxy is a two-part mix (resin + hardener) that cures over 12–24 hours at room temperature — no equipment needed, just patience. UV resin is a single liquid that hardens in seconds under a UV lamp, great for small jewelry but expensive per ounce and impractical for anything larger than your palm. Start with epoxy unless small jewelry is literally all you want to make.

Cheap resin yellows. The difference between a $20 quart of Amazon no-name epoxy and a $40 quart from ArtResin or Let's Resin isn't marketing — the clarity after six months in sunlight is measurably different. Your first kit can be budget, but know the tradeoff going in.

Resin fumes are real. Epoxy in cure is low-toxicity, but during mixing and the first few hours of curing it off-gasses chemicals you shouldn't inhale repeatedly. Work near a window, point a fan away from you, and buy nitrile gloves before you buy anything else. This is the one safety item worth being strict about.

The gear

What you actually need

Colorful glass tiles arranged on a surface outdoors.

Photo by Ivenory on Unsplash

Resin

Your resin is the most important purchase, and the epoxy vs. UV decision shapes everything downstream. For beginners, a two-part epoxy kit is the right start — it's the most forgiving, works for the widest range of projects, and mixing ratios are simple once you've done it once. UV resin is appealing because it cures in seconds, but it costs significantly more per ounce and requires a UV lamp. Pick epoxy first.

Resin — what's the difference?

A few common shapes, each making a different trade.

Epoxy Resin

Two-part mix (resin + hardener). Slow cure, versatile, most beginner-friendly.

Cure time: 12–24 hours
Mixing ratio: 1:1 or 2:1 by volume
Best for: Coasters, panels, geodes, river tables

Best for Most beginners. Large pours, coasters, mixed-media art.

Tradeoff Slow cure requires patience and a dust-free workspace during set time

↓ See our pick

UV Resin

Single-part liquid, cures in seconds under a UV lamp.

Cure time: 60–180 seconds
Mixing: None required
Best for: Jewelry, bezels, small dome pieces

Best for Jewelry makers, small intricate pieces, impatient crafters

Tradeoff Much more expensive per ounce; requires UV lamp; impractical for anything larger than a palm

Best starter

Let's Resin

LET'S RESIN Bubble Free Epoxy Resin Kit, 23oz

Let's Resin has become the go-to beginner epoxy because the instructions are unusually clear, the mixing ratio is 1:1 by volume (easy to measure without a scale), and the clarity once cured is excellent. A 23 oz kit is enough for a dozen coasters plus a few small projects. Low-odor formula means you can work indoors with just a window cracked.

Watch out for: Follow the 1:1 ratio closely — even a slight imbalance leaves sticky patches. Use separate graduated cups for resin and hardener, don't pour one halfway into a shared cup.

See on Amazon →

Budget pick

Promise Epoxy

Promise Epoxy Crystal Clear Table Top Epoxy Resin

The former Incredible Solutions formula, now sold as Promise Epoxy, remains a reliable budget option that doesn't visibly yellow in the first year. Self-levels nicely for flat pours. The 1-gallon kit is excellent value per ounce if you're planning to pour a lot — cheaper per ml than most starter kits.

Watch out for: Slightly more prone to surface bubbles than Let's Resin — use a heat gun or torch pass immediately after pouring.

See on Amazon →

Upgrade pick

ArtResin

ArtResin Epoxy Resin, 32oz High-Gloss Clear Coat

$$$

The premium pick for archival-quality work. ArtResin is specifically formulated to resist yellowing for years rather than months and is non-toxic once cured — the standard choice for coating canvas paintings or making pieces for sale. Available in sizes from 8 oz to a gallon.

Watch out for: Costs significantly more per ounce than budget options. Don't use it for practice pours — save it for pieces that matter.

See on Amazon →

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Molds

Molds determine what you make. Silicone is the universal material — flexible enough to pop cured resin out cleanly without release agents, reusable hundreds of times, and available in every shape imaginable. Start with a coaster set: rounds and squares are the right size for a beginner pour, impressive enough to give as gifts, and forgiving enough to survive a slightly off measurement. Resist buying a wall of specialty molds before your first pour.

Best starter

Let's Resin

LET'S RESIN 18 Pcs Coaster Resin Molds Silicone Set

Four round coaster molds and four square molds in one set — the most-made first project in resin art for good reason. The right size for a beginner (small enough to be forgiving, easy to torch for bubbles, impressive enough to give as gifts). Food-grade silicone that releases cleanly and survives hundreds of pours.

See on Amazon →

Specialty pick

Let's Resin

LET'S RESIN Geode Agate Silicone Coaster Molds

Once you've done plain coasters, geode-style agate molds are the natural next step — the irregular edges and layered-stone look are far more impressive than a plain round. Pour in layers of color to create depth, then finish with metallic mica for the vein effect. Pick up one set after your third or fourth pour.

See on Amazon →

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Pigments & Color

Resin takes color beautifully, and different colorants behave differently in epoxy. Alcohol inks create organic, transparent swirls and are the most beginner-friendly. Mica powders give metallic shimmer and are cheaper per ounce. Acrylic paint works in small amounts but clouds the resin if you add too much. Start with an alcohol ink set and a mica powder pack — together they cover 90% of the looks you see on social media.

Best starter

Jacquard

Jacquard Pinata Alcohol Ink Set, Overtones Exciter Pack (9 Colors)

Pinata inks are the community standard: vibrant, high-pigment, and they blend beautifully in resin without clouding it. A 9-color set covers ocean blues, earth tones, and bold pops. A few drops go a long way — one 0.5 oz bottle lasts 20+ pours.

Watch out for: Alcohol inks are transparent — they tint the resin without making it opaque. For opaque colors, mix in a drop of white mica powder first.

See on Amazon →

Budget pick

Rolio

Rolio Premium Mica Powder Pearlescent Pigment Set (24 Colors)

Mica powder is cheaper per ounce than alcohol ink and creates gorgeous metallic and shimmer effects — gold, silver, and holographic finishes in particular. Mix directly into resin before pouring or dust over a wet surface for a galaxy effect. Rolio's 24-color set has 10g per jar and covers every metallic tone a beginner needs.

See on Amazon →

Specialty pick

DEWEL

DEWEL Glow in the Dark Pigment Powder, 12 Colors

Glow-in-the-dark resin pieces are consistently the most-shared on social media, and the effect is genuinely impressive and easy to achieve. Mix into a small cup of resin before pouring. Each jar is 20g — enough for 10-15 pieces per color. Green charges fastest in daylight; blue glows the longest.

See on Amazon →

Tools & Supplies

The right mixing and pouring tools make a real difference. You need graduated silicone cups (for accurate ratios), silicone stir sticks (flexible enough to scrape the sides clean), and a small butane torch for popping surface bubbles. Bubbles are the beginner's biggest enemy — they rise to the surface during and just after the pour, and a 2-second torch pass eliminates them instantly. A silicone craft mat protects your workspace and peels clean.

Best starter

Let's Resin

LET'S RESIN Silicone Measuring Cups Tool Set

Graduated silicone cups (500ml and 100ml), reusable stir sticks, finger cots, and pipettes — everything to measure and pour accurately without waste. Silicone doesn't bond to cured resin, so you flex leftover resin right out and reuse the cups indefinitely. Plastic cups and wooden sticks by comparison are wasteful.

See on Amazon →

Specialty pick

Bernzomatic

Bernz-O-Matic ST2200T Micro Flame Butane Torch Kit

A quick torch pass over a freshly poured surface pops every bubble in seconds — nothing else is as fast or thorough. The micro torch gives fine control so you hit the surface without scorching your mold edges. Butane canisters are cheap and available everywhere.

Watch out for: Keep the torch moving — holding it in one spot more than a second can dimple the resin or scorch silicone edges. Light wrist motion, don't hover.

See on Amazon →

Safety Gear

Resin isn't as dangerous as the warnings make it sound, but the safety steps are simple enough there's no reason to skip them. Nitrile gloves are non-negotiable: uncured epoxy is a known skin sensitizer, and repeated skin contact over weeks can build into a permanent contact allergy that makes you reactive to epoxy forever. Gloves every single time. A respirator is smart for long sessions or poorly ventilated spaces, but a window and fan genuinely suffice for casual use.

Best starter

Venom Steel

Venom Steel Industrial Nitrile Gloves, 100-Count

Heavy 6-mil nitrile — thicker than typical disposable gloves and much harder to tear. Resin is sticky; thin gloves rip at the wrist mid-pour. Venom Steel gloves stay intact through a full session and are the community recommendation across resin art forums. Buy a 100-count box; you'll use two pairs every session.

See on Amazon →

Upgrade pick

3M 6502QL Half Facepiece Reusable Respirator

For long sessions, pours in tight spaces, or sanding cured resin (which generates dust you really shouldn't inhale), a proper respirator is the right call. The 3M 6502QL with Quick Latch uses 6001 organic vapor cartridges (sold separately) — the community standard setup. Cartridges last roughly 40 hours of use — replace them when you first smell resin through the mask.

Watch out for: A dust mask or surgical mask does nothing for resin vapors. It must say 'organic vapor' on the cartridge, not just 'dust' or 'particulate.'

See on Amazon →

Going deeper

Your first weekend of resin art

Here's what actually happens in your first 48 hours — the mix, the pour, the wait, and the moment you demold a finished piece and immediately want to make another one.

Read the guide →

Save your money

What you don't need yet

Beginners get pressured to buy a lot of stuff that doesn't help them play better. Here's what we'd skip on day one.

A UV curing lamp — Only necessary if you're using UV resin. Epoxy cures without any equipment — just time at room temperature.
A tumbler machine — Tumblers rotate resin cups and pens while they cure for drip-free finishes. Useful months from now; irrelevant on pour one.
Silicone pigment pastes — Alcohol inks and mica powders are cheaper, easier to find, and cover every look you'll attempt in your first 20 pours. Pastes add complexity without a clear beginner benefit.
A pressure pot — Pressure pots eliminate internal bubbles by compressing the resin as it cures — useful for crystal-clear thick castings. Complete overkill for coasters and shallow art panels where a torch pass handles surface bubbles.
Jewelry findings and hardware — Bail connectors, ring blanks, and bezel settings for turning resin pieces into wearables. Save these for after you've made a few pieces you actually want to wear.

First week

Your first seven days

A short, real plan to get from gear-on-doorstep to actually playing.

Order your resin kit and safety supplies before anything else — gloves are day-one. · Buy
- Jump to our pick: LET'S RESIN Bubble Free Epoxy Resin Kit, 23oz
Set up your workspace: cover the table with a silicone mat or plastic sheeting, have paper towels and isopropyl alcohol ready for spills, and open a window. · Action
Watch two or three pour videos before your first session — not to copy them, but to see the mixing speed and consistency you're aiming for. · Learn
- r/ResinCasting · Community helpdesk — search before posting, most questions are answered in detail
- Let's Resin on YouTube · The brand's tutorial channel — genuinely useful beginner walkthroughs
Do your first pour: one or two coasters, single color or simple two-color swirl. Don't attempt ocean cells or a geode on pour one. · Action
Torch the surface within two minutes of pouring to pop bubbles, then cover loosely with a cardboard box and leave it untouched for 24 hours. · Action
Check your cured piece for sticky spots (ratio error), cloudiness (too much colorant), or trapped bubbles (torch sooner next time) and adjust pour two accordingly. · Action

FAQ

Common questions

What is the difference between epoxy resin and UV resin?

Epoxy is a two-part system (resin + hardener) that cures over 12–24 hours at room temperature with no equipment. UV resin is a single liquid that cures in seconds under a UV lamp. Epoxy is the right choice for most beginners — it's cheaper, more forgiving, and works for coasters through large panels. UV resin only makes sense if small jewelry is specifically your focus.

How do I get rid of bubbles in resin?

A torch or heat gun pass over the surface 1–3 minutes after pouring pops surface bubbles instantly. For internal bubbles in thick pours, you'd need a pressure pot — but for coasters and shallow panels, the torch handles it completely. Mix slowly and in one direction to minimize bubble introduction in the first place.

Can I use latex or vinyl gloves instead of nitrile?

No. Latex gloves are porous enough that epoxy resin can penetrate them over a long session. Vinyl gloves tear too easily. Nitrile at 6-mil or heavier is the standard — cheap, widely available, and actually protective.

How long does resin take to fully harden?

Most epoxy resins are demold-able after 24 hours but aren't at full hardness until 72 hours. Don't sand, drill, or apply heat to a piece in the first 24 hours. Let it sit three full days before treating it as finished product.

My resin is still sticky after 24 hours. What went wrong?

Almost always a measuring error — too little hardener, or insufficient mixing. Resin requires accurate ratios and 3–5 minutes of thorough mixing, scraping the cup walls. A slightly tacky surface can sometimes be fixed by moving the piece somewhere warmer (above 72°F); a fully sticky piece usually needs to be discarded and the mold re-cleaned.

Is resin art toxic?

Uncured epoxy is a skin sensitizer — repeated skin contact can build into a permanent contact allergy. Wear nitrile gloves every session without exception. Vapors during mixing are mild at low exposure but worth ventilating around. Cured resin is inert and safe to handle.

Going further

Where to next

Related hobbies

Browse by category

Authoritative sources

r/ResinCasting — The primary community helpdesk. Beginners get fast, reliable answers here. Search before posting — most questions are answered in thorough threads.
Resin Obsession — Independent educational site with in-depth tutorials, brand reviews, and troubleshooting guides. One of the best written resources in the hobby.
Let's Resin YouTube — Tutorial-focused channel from one of the top beginner brands. Good walkthroughs of coasters, geode pours, and beginner troubleshooting.
r/ResinArt — Gallery and feedback community. More project-sharing than technique Q&A, but useful for seeing what's possible and getting honest critique.

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