What is Craft Resin?

Craft resin is a liquid polymer that hardens into a clear, durable, glass-like finish when cured. It’s used to create jewelry, coasters, art pieces, and protective coatings. The material starts as a viscous liquid and transforms into a solid through chemical reactions (epoxy) or UV light exposure (UV resin).

Resin Types and Properties

Property Epoxy Resin UV Resin Polyurethane Resin Polyester Resin
Mixing Required Yes (2:1 or 1:1 ratio) No Yes (2-part) Yes (with catalyst)
Curing Method Chemical reaction UV light Chemical reaction Chemical reaction
Working Time 20-45 minutes 5-15 minutes 5-10 minutes 10-20 minutes
Full Cure Time 24-72 hours 2-5 minutes under UV 16-24 hours 24-48 hours
Clarity Crystal clear Crystal clear Slight yellow tint Can yellow over time
Durability Excellent Good Excellent Good
UV Resistance Good (with UV inhibitor) Poor (yellows) Excellent Poor
Flexibility Rigid Slightly flexible Flexible options Rigid
Odor Level Moderate Low High Very high
Cost per oz $2-4 $4-8 $3-6 $1-3

Working Characteristics Comparison

Epoxy Resin Properties

Characteristic Details Beginner Friendly? Professional Use?
Viscosity Honey-like, self-leveling Yes - flows easily Yes
Bubble Release Good - bubbles rise naturally Yes Yes
Layer Thickness Up to 1/8” per pour Moderate learning curve Excellent
Temperature Sensitivity Cures faster in heat Need to monitor Consistent results
Shelf Life 6-12 months unmixed Good storage Excellent
Colour Mixing Accepts most pigments well Yes - forgiving Yes
Adhesion Excellent to most materials Yes Excellent

UV Resin Properties

Characteristic Details Beginner Friendly? Professional Use?
Viscosity Thicker, less self-leveling Moderate - needs spreading Good for detail work
Bubble Release Poor - bubbles trapped easily No - requires technique Requires skill
Layer Thickness 1-3mm maximum per cure Requires multiple layers Time-intensive
Light Sensitivity Cures in sunlight/UV lamp Yes - immediate results Yes
Shelf Life 3-6 months Shorter storage Adequate
Colour Mixing Limited pigment compatibility Somewhat - test first Limited options
Adhesion Good to most materials Yes Good

Resin Applications by Project Type

Best Resin Choice by Project

Project Type Recommended Resin Why This Choice Alternative Option
Jewelry UV Resin Quick cure, detail work Epoxy for larger pieces
Coasters Epoxy Resin Thick pours, durability UV for thin accent layers
Art Pieces Epoxy Resin Large areas, mixing colours Polyurethane for flexibility
Keychains UV Resin Small size, quick turnaround Epoxy for thick designs
Tumblers Epoxy Resin Full coverage, durability Polyurethane for flexibility
Bookmarks UV Resin Thin profile, quick cure Epoxy for embedding objects
Table Tops Epoxy Resin Thick pours, strength Polyurethane for wear resistance
Outdoor Items Polyurethane Resin UV resistance Epoxy with UV inhibitor

Physical and Chemical Properties

Strength and Durability Ratings

Property Epoxy Resin UV Resin Polyurethane Polyester
Tensile Strength 8,000-12,000 psi 6,000-8,000 psi 3,000-5,000 psi 4,000-7,000 psi
Flexural Strength 15,000-20,000 psi 10,000-15,000 psi 8,000-12,000 psi 8,000-14,000 psi
Heat Resistance 150-200°F 120-150°F 200-300°F 180-220°F
Chemical Resistance Excellent Good Excellent Moderate
Water Resistance Excellent Good Excellent Good
Scratch Resistance High Moderate Moderate Moderate
Impact Resistance Moderate Low High Moderate

Environmental Considerations

Factor Epoxy Resin UV Resin Polyurethane Polyester
VOC Emissions Low-Moderate Low High Very High
Ventilation Needed Recommended Minimal Required Strongly Required
Skin Sensitivity Moderate Low High Very High
Environmental Impact Moderate Low High High
Disposal Concerns Moderate Low High High
Recyclability No No Limited No

Working Conditions and Storage

Optimal Working Environment

Condition Epoxy Resin UV Resin Critical Factor
Temperature 70-75°F 65-80°F Affects cure time
Humidity <50% <60% Prevents clouding
Dust Control Essential Essential Ruins finish
Lighting Bright work light Avoid UV sources UV resin light sensitivity
Ventilation Good airflow Minimal needed Safety requirement
Work Surface Non-stick/protected Non-stick/protected Easy cleanup

Storage Requirements

Aspect Epoxy Resin UV Resin Storage Life
Temperature 65-75°F 60-70°F Extends shelf life
Light Exposure Avoid direct sun Store in dark Critical for UV resin
Container Original packaging Dark bottles Prevents contamination
Humidity Dry environment Dry environment Prevents moisture absorption
Separation Keep A/B apart until use Single component Safety measure
Shelf Life 6-12 months 3-6 months From manufacture date

Cost Analysis and Value

Price Comparison by Volume

Volume Epoxy Resin UV Resin Cost per Project Best Value
Small (4-8 oz) $15-25 $20-35 $2-4 per small item UV for small batches
Medium (16-32 oz) $35-60 $60-120 $1.50-3 per item Epoxy for volume
Large (64+ oz) $80-150 $180-300 $1-2 per item Epoxy clear winner
Professional (1 gal) $150-250 $400-600 $0.75-1.50 per item Epoxy only option

Cost Factors to Consider

Factor Impact on Cost Money-Saving Tips
Waste from mistakes High - resin can’t be reused Practice with small batches
Tool replacement Moderate - disposable items Buy quality reusable tools
Pigment costs Low-High depending on type Start with basic colour set
Mold replacement Moderate - silicone degrades Proper cleaning extends life
Safety equipment One-time investment Don’t skimp on safety

Quality Grades and Brands

Resin Quality Tiers

Quality Level Characteristics Price Range Best For
Economy Basic clarity, shorter pot life $20-40/quart Learning, practice projects
Mid-Grade Good clarity, reliable cure $40-70/quart Regular crafting
Premium Excellent clarity, long pot life $70-120/quart Professional work
Specialty Unique properties (fast cure, flexible) $80-150/quart Specific applications

Brand Reputation Guide

Brand Category Characteristics Reliability Beginner Friendly
Craft Store Brands Consistent quality, good support High Excellent
Online Specialty Variable quality, lower cost Moderate Research needed
Industrial Suppliers Professional grade, bulk sizes High Advanced users
Imported/Generic Lowest cost, quality varies Low Risk for beginners
YXE Creations High-quality, crafter-focused High Excellent. YXE Creations offers resin for crafters by crafters.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Cure Problems

Problem Cause Prevention Fix if Possible
Soft/Tacky Surface Incorrect ratio, humidity, contamination Measure precisely, control environment Sand and recoat
Cloudy Finish Moisture, old resin, wrong temperature Fresh resin, dry conditions Usually permanent
Bubbles Throughout Vigorous mixing, wrong temperature Gentle mixing, proper temp Pop with heat gun
Uneven Cure Poor mixing, temperature variations Thorough mixing, stable temp Sand and recoat
Yellowing UV exposure, heat, age UV inhibitor, proper storage Usually permanent

Working Issues

Problem Epoxy Resin UV Resin General Solution
Too Thick Add heat, thin with acetone Warm slightly Work in thinner layers
Cures Too Fast Lower temperature, smaller batches Work in shade Plan timing better
Won’t Stick Surface prep, primer needed Clean thoroughly Use adhesion promoter
Runs/Drips Too thin, warm resin Cool resin, work slowly Build up in layers

Advanced Properties and Modifications

Additive Compatibility

Additive Type Epoxy Compatibility UV Compatibility Effect on Properties
Alcohol Inks Excellent Good Transparent colour
Acrylic Paints Good (small amounts) Limited Opaque colour
Mica Powders Excellent Excellent Metallic effects
Glitter Good Good Decorative texture
Dried Flowers Excellent Good Natural inclusions
Fabric/Paper Excellent Good Embedded materials
Fillers (wood dust) Good Poor Reduces cost, changes texture

Performance Modifications

Modification Purpose Method Trade-offs
Flexibility Reduce brittleness Add flexibilizer Lower strength
Faster Cure Reduce wait time Add accelerator Shorter working time
UV Resistance Prevent yellowing UV inhibitor additive Slight tint
Thicker Viscosity Prevent drips Thixotropic additive Harder to level
Flame Retardancy Safety requirement FR additives Reduced clarity

This comprehensive guide covers resin as a craft material, helping you understand its properties, applications, and characteristics to make informed choices for your projects.