Resin Art for Beginners: Your First Project, Step by Step

Your first resin project doesn't need to be big or perfect. It needs to be small, simple and finished. In this guide we'll walk you through one complete beginner project — a set of resin coasters — from setting up your table to taking the coasters out of the mould. Once you've done this once, every other resin project follows the same steps.

New to the basics? Read What is Epoxy Resin? first, then come back here and make something.

Why coasters are the best first project

• Small amount of resin — a set of four coasters uses well under 150 g, so a mistake costs very little.
• Thin pour — coaster moulds are shallow, which suits a 2:1 coating resin and keeps bubbles easy to manage.
• Quick feedback — you can demould the next day and see exactly what worked.
• Useful result — keep them, gift them, or use them to test colours before a bigger piece.

What you'll need

• Vitro 2:1 Clear Epoxy Resin Kit – 300g (enough for several coaster sets)
• Silicone coaster mould (round or square, about 10 cm)
• Digital kitchen scale — Fusion kits are mixed by weight
• 2 plastic mixing cups and a wooden or silicone stir stick
• Nitrile gloves, and a mask if your room is not well ventilated
• Heat gun or small torch for bubbles
• Decoration: dried flowers, mica powder, alcohol ink or glitter (optional)
• Plastic sheet or old newspaper to cover the table

Step 1: Set up a clean, level workspace

Cover your table, place the mould on a flat board and check it's level — resin finds every slope. Work in a room that's comfortably warm, away from fans, direct sun and dust. Keep a cardboard box nearby to cover the pieces while they cure.

💡 Pro tip: In monsoon or very humid weather, work in an air-conditioned or dry room if you can. Moisture in the air is a common reason for cloudy or tacky surfaces.

Step 2: Work out how much to mix

For four 10 cm round coasters about 3 mm thick you need roughly 100–110 g of mixed resin. Mix a little extra (10–15%) so you never run short halfway through a pour. Not sure for your mould? Use our free resin calculator or the chart in How Much Resin Do I Need?

Step 3: Weigh Part A and Part B

Put a cup on the scale and press tare (zero). For a 2:1 kit, two parts resin to one part hardener by weight:

Step 4: Mix slowly and thoroughly

Stir slowly for 3–5 minutes, scraping the sides and bottom of the cup again and again. Unmixed resin stuck to the cup wall is what causes soft, sticky patches later. Then pour everything into the second clean cup and stir for one more minute — this "double cup" trick catches any unmixed resin. Our full guide to mixing epoxy resin correctly goes deeper.

Step 5: Add colour or decoration

Split the mixed resin into small cups if you want different colours. A tiny pinch of mica powder or one or two drops of alcohol ink goes a long way — too much pigment can affect curing. For dried flowers, pour a thin first layer, place the flowers face down, then top up.

Step 6: Pour and remove bubbles

Pour slowly from a low height into the centre of each cavity and let the resin spread on its own. After a few minutes, pass a heat gun or torch quickly over the surface — keep it moving and a few centimetres away. Repeat once or twice in the first 15 minutes. For stubborn bubbles, read How to Remove Bubbles from Epoxy Resin.

Step 7: Cover and let it cure

Cover the mould with a box to keep dust off and don't touch it. Vitro 2:1 cures in about 18–20 hours at room temperature; cold rooms take longer. Leave thin coasters a full day before demoulding, and give them a little longer before you place hot cups on them.

Step 8: Demould and finish

Gently flex the silicone mould and push the coaster out from the back. If the edges are sharp, sand them lightly with fine sandpaper. You can stick felt or cork pads underneath so they don't scratch the table.

Starting out? Try both resins in one box.

The Starter Bundle gives you Vitro 2:1 for coasters and coatings plus Flex 3:1 for your first flower block.

👉 Shop the Starter Bundle

What to make after coasters

1. Keychains and bookmarks — tiny moulds, great for practising inclusions.
2. A small serving tray — your first coating on a flat surface.
3. A nameplate — practise lettering and layering.
4. A flower block — your first deep pour with Flex 3:1.

FAQs

Is resin art hard for beginners?

Not if you start small. Most beginner problems come from measuring, mixing and temperature — all of which you control. Follow the steps above and your first pour can come out clear.

Which resin should a beginner buy first?

A 2:1 coating resin such as Vitro 2:1 is the easiest place to start for coasters, keychains and trays. Move to a 3:1 casting resin when you want thick pours.

How long before I can use my coasters?

You can usually demould after about a day. Give them some extra time before heavy use or hot cups, especially in cold weather.