What Is Resin Art? A Beginner’s Guide to Resin Pouring

If you’ve ever seen a tray that looks like swirling marble, a shimmering ocean in coaster form, or a bowl that seems to hold liquid light — you’ve likely encountered resin art. It’s bold, luminous, one-of-a-kind… and it has everyone asking:
“What is resin art, and how is it made?”

Whether you're curious about the process or considering your first handmade piece, this beginner-friendly guide breaks it all down — from materials and techniques to what makes each Artful Pours piece truly unique.

What Is Resin Art?

Resin art is the process of creating decorative or functional items using epoxy resin — a liquid compound that hardens into a glasslike finish. When mixed with colorants, metallics, or natural materials and poured onto surfaces or into molds, resin becomes a medium for abstract, fluid art.

The results?

• Swirling, high-gloss finishes
• Rich color blends and depth
• One-of-a-kind creations every time

Resin art is popular for both wall pieces and functional objects like trays, coasters, bowls, and jewelry.

What Is Resin?

Resin used in art is typically a two-part epoxy system:

• Resin (Part A) — the base
• Hardener (Part B) — the activator

Once mixed in equal parts, a chemical reaction begins, turning the liquid into a solid form over time. The full transformation takes days to weeks — and that timing matters when creating functional, long-lasting pieces.

The Resin Curing Timeline (And Why It Matters)

Unlike fast-drying paint, resin takes time to fully cure — and it keeps moving during that process.

Here’s how the curing process typically unfolds:

Stage	Timing	What Happens
Touch Dry & Flexible	8–12 hours	Resin begins to set and can be gently shaped or demolded. Still bendable.
Hard Set	~72 hours	Resin feels firm to the touch but is not fully cured.
Fully Cured	~30 days	Resin reaches maximum hardness, clarity, and chemical stability. Ready for regular use.

⚠️ Important: Resin is still releasing heat and settling during those early days. Even after it feels hard, it’s not fully cured — which is why Artful Pours allows each piece to rest and fully cure before it’s listed for sale.

What Makes Each Resin Piece One-of-a-Kind?

Even pieces poured with identical molds, colors, and timing will turn out differently — and that’s part of the magic.

Why? Because resin moves as it cures.

• Colors can drift and pull toward the center of a mold.
• Borders between colors can blur, shift, or become unexpectedly organic.
• Metallics might pool, swirl, or float in new ways.

Each pour captures a moment in motion, impossible to duplicate.

At Artful Pours, we embrace this — creating pieces that are truly one-of-a-kind, even within the same set.

What Can You Make with Resin Art?

While many artists create wall art with resin, Artful Pours focuses on functional resin art — everyday items elevated by artistry.

What Does “Pouring” Resin Mean?

Pouring resin involves blending pigments or effects (like glitter, mica, or metallics) into resin and pouring it onto a surface or into a mold.

Common pouring techniques:

• Dirty Pour – Layered colors poured all at once
• Wave Pour – Mimics ocean waves using white pigment and heat
• Marble Effect – Swirled neutrals and metallics

Each technique interacts with the natural flow of resin — and no two outcomes are alike.

Is Resin Art for Beginners?

Creating resin art can be beginner-friendly if you’re comfortable with a little trial and error. Think of it like baking with chemistry — the measurements matter, the timing matters, and your workspace needs prep.

Tips for resin beginners:

• Always wear gloves and protect your surfaces
• Follow precise mixing ratios (usually 1:1)
• Ventilate your workspace and wear personal protective equipment like a respirator
• Start with small projects like coasters
• Know that your first pieces might not be perfect — that’s part of the fun

Prefer to leave the mess to the pros? That’s what we’re here for.

Is Resin Art Safe?

Fully cured resin is inert and non-toxic, but it’s important to note that most art resins are not certified food safe.

At Artful Pours:

• We do not recommend direct food contact
• Pieces are heat-safe up to 176°F (80°C)
• All pieces are for decorative or functional use with wrapped items or drinkware only

Final Thoughts

Resin art is fluid, dynamic, and endlessly creative. Whether you’re curious about how it’s made or shopping for your first handmade piece, it helps to understand the process behind the shine.

At Artful Pours, we treat every pour as a small moment of magic — and every item as a functional piece of art.