Epoxy Resin Color Guide: Best Pigments, Mica Powders & Techniques

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How to Color Epoxy Resin: Best Pigments, Mica Powders & Techniques

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How to Color Epoxy Resin: Mica Powder, Pigments & Tips

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Learn how to color epoxy resin using mica powder, resin pigments and other colorants. Get vibrant, even colors without affecting your resin finish.

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Adding colour is one of the easiest ways to turn clear epoxy resin into beautiful resin art. But using too much pigment, the wrong colourant or the wrong mixing technique can affect curing and the final finish.

This guide explains which pigments work best, how much to use and how to create pastel, opaque, transparent and metallic resin colours.

Step 1: Choose the right colourant

Mica powder

Mica powder is one of the most popular choices for resin art.

It creates a smooth, rich and slightly pearlescent finish and works especially well for:

• Resin coasters
• Trays
• Clocks
• Jewellery
• Nameplates
• Geode art
• Decorative pieces

Mica is available in everything from soft pastels to bright metallic shades.

Resin pigment paste

Pigment pastes give stronger, more opaque colours.

They're useful when you want:

• Solid colours
• Deep shades
• Bright artwork
• Strong colour blocking

Use resin-compatible pigment pastes designed specifically for epoxy resin.

Liquid resin pigments

Liquid pigments are useful when you want transparent or translucent colours.

They're especially good for:

• Ocean effects
• Transparent flowers
• Tinted backgrounds
• Glass-like effects

Step 2: How much pigment should you use?

Start with a small amount.

For mica powder, add a little powder to your mixed resin and stir thoroughly before deciding whether you need more.

The goal is to colour the resin without heavily loading it with pigment.

Too much colourant can change the resin's consistency and may affect curing.

💡 Pro tip: Always add pigment gradually. It's much easier to make a colour darker than to fix an over-pigmented resin mixture.

Step 3: How to make pastel resin colours

For soft aesthetic resin art, start with:

• White
• Ivory
• Baby pink
• Lavender
• Powder blue
• Peach
• Soft yellow
• Pastel purple

Mix a small amount of colour into white or lightly tinted resin to create a softer pastel shade.

For a clean pastel look, avoid adding too much metallic mica.

Step 4: How to make resin colours evenly

Follow this simple process:

1. Measure Part A and Part B according to your resin's ratio.
2. Mix the resin and hardener thoroughly.
3. Divide the mixed resin into smaller cups if using multiple colours.
4. Add a small amount of pigment.
5. Stir slowly until the colour is completely distributed.
6. Scrape the sides and bottom of the cup while mixing.
7. Let the resin sit briefly so larger bubbles can rise.
8. Pour into your mould or artwork.

For Fusion Resin:

• Vitro 2:1 → coating projects and shallow pours
• Flex 3:1 → deeper casting projects

See 2:1 vs 3:1 Epoxy Resin before choosing your resin.

Mica powder vs liquid pigment

Can you use acrylic paint in epoxy resin?

Acrylic paint can sometimes be used in very small quantities, but it isn't the first choice for professional resin colouring.

For more predictable results, use a colourant specifically designed for epoxy resin.

Can you use food colouring in epoxy resin?

Food colouring isn't recommended for most epoxy resin projects because it isn't formulated for resin chemistry and may affect the final result.

Use resin-compatible pigments instead.

Quick colour ideas

• Coquette: pink + white + ivory
• Lavender aesthetic: lavender + white + purple
• Ocean: blue + turquoise + white
• Minimal: white + beige + brown
• Cherry: red + pink + white
• Pastel: white + small amounts of soft pigments
• Geode: white + gold + black

Common colouring mistakes

• Adding too much pigment
• Using non-resin-compatible colourants
• Mixing pigment unevenly
• Adding pigment before properly mixing resin and hardener
• Expecting transparent pigment to become opaque
• Using too much glitter and pigment together
• Not testing a new pigment on a small batch

FAQs

What is the best pigment for epoxy resin?

Mica powder, resin pigment paste and liquid resin pigments are popular choices. The best option depends on whether you want a pastel, opaque, metallic or transparent effect.

Can I use mica powder in Fusion Resin?

Yes, resin-compatible mica powder can be used to colour epoxy resin.

How much mica powder should I add?

Start with a small amount and gradually increase until you achieve your desired colour.

Can I make pastel colours with epoxy resin?

Yes. White or ivory resin combined with a small amount of pigment can create soft pastel shades.

Can I use pigment in both coating and casting resin?

Use pigments that are compatible with epoxy resin and follow the recommended pigment quantity. Fusion Vitro 2:1 is suited to coating projects, while Flex 3:1 is designed for deeper casting.