Shopping List
This page contains Amazon affiliate links. If you click a link and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps support the site — thank you!
What You Actually Need for Resin Art
Getting started with resin art doesn’t require a massive investment or a fully equipped studio. Whether you’re interested in creating jewelry, decorative pieces, or functional items, you need a focused set of tools and materials that work together seamlessly. This shopping list covers the essential items every beginner should have to safely mix, pour, and finish beautiful resin projects from day one.
1. Two-Part Epoxy Resin
Two-part epoxy resin is the foundation of resin art, combining a resin component with a hardener to create a durable, clear finish. Most epoxy resins cure at room temperature and don’t require special equipment like UV lamps. Once mixed in the correct ratio and poured, the resin hardens into a glass-like, crystal-clear material that holds embeds and color beautifully.
Why beginners need it: This is literally the base material for every resin project you’ll make. Without quality epoxy resin, you can’t create anything—it’s non-negotiable for the hobby.
What to look for: Choose brands specifically labeled for casting or jewelry-making rather than general-purpose epoxy. Look for low-yellowing formulas and products with clear user reviews from other beginners.
2. Digital Precision Scale
A digital scale measures resin and hardener with gram-level accuracy, which is critical since most epoxy resins require exact mixing ratios like 2:1 or 1:1. Even small measurement errors can result in sticky, uncured resin or brittle finished pieces. A basic kitchen scale designed for grams works perfectly fine for resin projects.
Why beginners need it: Guessing at resin ratios leads to failed projects and wasted materials. A scale removes the guesswork and ensures consistent, professional results every single time.
What to look for: Choose a scale with a gram mode, at least 500-gram capacity, and a tare button to reset to zero. Digital displays are easier to read than analog versions.
3. Silicone Mixing Cups and Stirring Tools
Silicone cups are reusable, flexible containers perfect for mixing resin and hardener without waste or cleanup hassles. Unlike plastic cups, silicone doesn’t stick permanently to cured resin, so you can simply peel dried resin away for easy cleaning. Wooden or silicone stirring tools prevent air bubbles better than metal utensils and won’t react with the resin.
Why beginners need it: You’ll be mixing resin multiple times per project, so durable, reusable containers save money and reduce mess. Resin hardens instantly on regular plastic and paper cups, making cleanup impossible.
What to look for: Get at least 2-3 silicone cups in varying sizes and several wooden craft sticks or silicone spatulas. Look for food-grade silicone that flexes easily.
4. Mold Collection (Silicone Molds)
Silicone molds come in hundreds of shapes—from geometric cubes and pyramids to jewelry bezel cups, pendant molds, and coaster frames. Silicone’s flexible nature makes demolding finished pieces effortless, and molds can be reused hundreds of times without degradation. Professional resin artists build entire collections organized by project type.
Why beginners need it: Molds define the shape and form of your finished pieces. Without them, you’re pouring resin into custom containers or hoping free-form shapes turn out well, which rarely happens cleanly.
What to look for: Start with 3-5 versatile molds including a basic pendant mold, a small cube, and a ring mold. Food-grade silicone molds hold shape better than cheaper alternatives and last longer.
5. Resin Color and Pigments
Resin-specific pigments and dyes transform clear resin into vibrant jewel tones, pastels, and opalescent finishes. Mica powders add shimmery effects, while liquid dyes blend smoothly without clumping. Unlike craft paint or food coloring, resin dyes are formulated to mix evenly and won’t separate or cloud your finished pieces.
Why beginners need it: Clear resin alone looks plastic-y and one-dimensional. Adding color elevates projects from beginner-looking to gallery-worthy and opens creative possibilities exponentially.
What to look for: Buy a small color starter set with 6-12 versatile shades before investing in individual colors. Stick to brands marketed specifically for epoxy resin—craft paint doesn’t work reliably.
6. Torch or Heat Gun
A small butane torch or heat gun removes surface bubbles from freshly poured resin within the first few minutes of curing. Passing the heat source quickly over the resin’s surface causes bubbles to burst and escape, leaving you with a smooth, professional finish. This single tool makes an enormous visual difference in final results.
Why beginners need it: Surface bubbles are almost unavoidable when first mixing resin, and they’re incredibly visible in finished pieces. A heat gun solves this problem in seconds and eliminates the biggest beginner frustration.
What to look for: Choose either a kitchen torch (fast, precise) or a heat gun (safer, easier to control). Make sure you have adequate ventilation when using either tool, as resin releases fumes during heat application.
7. Sanding and Finishing Supplies
Even smooth resin pieces from molds often need light finishing to remove any imperfections, mold seams, or dust particles. A variety pack of sandpaper (80-grit through 400-grit) lets you rough-sand initial bumps, then progress to fine grits for a polished surface. Polishing compound brings out the resin’s natural shine if you want maximum glossiness.
Why beginners need it: Raw demolded resin sometimes has minor imperfections or a slightly rough surface. Sanding takes pieces from “almost there” to genuinely finished and professional-looking.
What to look for: Get a multi-grit assortment pack rather than single sheets. Include wet/dry sandpaper if possible, which works better on resin than regular sandpaper.
8. Protective Equipment and Safety Gear
Epoxy resin releases volatile organic compounds (VOCs) during mixing and curing, making proper ventilation and respiratory protection essential. Nitrile gloves protect your hands from skin irritation and resin staining, while a respirator mask with organic vapor cartridges filters harmful fumes. Safety glasses prevent accidental splashes from reaching your eyes.
Why beginners need it: Resin exposure can cause headaches, nausea, and skin sensitivity if you’re not properly protected. Safety gear is non-negotiable and makes longer work sessions comfortable and genuinely safe.
What to look for: Choose gloves rated for epoxy (usually nitrile or latex), a dual-cartridge respirator designed for organic vapors, and polycarbonate safety glasses. Don’t skip this category to save money.
9. Embedding Materials and Fillers
Dried flowers, glitter, mica flakes, small beads, shells, and metallic leaf transform plain resin into eye-catching pieces with dimension and personality. These embeds catch light differently and create visual interest that draws viewers in. Dried botanicals add elegance, while chunky glitter adds playfulness.
Why beginners need it: Embedding objects is what makes resin art uniquely expressive and Instagram-worthy. Plain colored resin looks nice but can feel unfinished—embeds elevate pieces to gallery quality.
What to look for: Build a small collection starting with clear, resin-safe glitter, dried flowers, and metallic flakes. Avoid anything moisture-containing, as water interferes with resin curing and causes cloudiness.
10. Work Surface Protection and Organization
A designated resin workspace with protective coverings keeps your work area organized and prevents permanent resin damage to tables, counters, or furniture. Disposable craft paper, silicone work mats, or old baking sheets create contained areas for curing pieces. A pegboard or small shelving unit keeps molds, tools, and supplies within arm’s reach and visually organized.
Why beginners need it: Resin sticks to everything and hardens permanently, so protecting your workspace isn’t optional—it’s essential for your sanity and keeping your living space usable. Organization prevents losing tools and materials mid-project.
What to look for: Choose durable, reusable work surfaces like silicone mats or clear plastic sheet protectors. A small rolling cart or shelving unit keeps supplies visible and accessible without cluttering your space.
Budget-Friendly Tips
- Start with a small resin quantity: Buy the smallest bottles of resin and hardener available for your first project. You’ll learn techniques and figure out what you actually enjoy making before investing in bulk quantities. Many beginners waste expensive materials on failed experiments, so starting small is financially smart.
- Use everyday items as embeds: You don’t need to buy expensive specialty embeds—dried flowers from your garden, colorful paper scraps, old buttons, and craft-store glitter work beautifully and cost almost nothing. Check your craft supply stash before buying new items.
- DIY storage and organization: Repurpose mason jars for color storage, use egg cartons to organize small items, and create workspace protection from old newspapers or cardboard. Thrift stores sell cheap shelving and rolling carts that work perfectly for resin studios without breaking your budget.
Beginner vs Advanced Gear
The 10 items listed above represent everything a beginner genuinely needs to create beautiful resin art and develop foundational skills. Once you’ve completed 20-30 projects and understand your specific interests—whether that’s jewelry, home decor, or functional pieces—you might invest in advanced equipment like UV resin systems, pressure pots, professional-grade pigments, or specialty molds. Advanced artists often purchase tools for efficiency rather than capability, such as mixing machines, batch color formulas, or premium casting resins. Start with this beginner list, master the fundamentals, and upgrade only when you identify specific limitations in your current setup. Many professional resin artists still use basic equipment they started with, upgraded one piece at a time based on actual project needs rather than marketing hype.
Ready to Sell Your Work?
Selling Platforms
Partner recommendations coming soon.