New to resin and not sure which one you need? You’re not alone. With epoxy resin, UV resin, deep cast and fast-set resins available, choosing the right one can feel more complicated than the actual making!
The good news is that each type of resin has a job it does particularly well. In this guide, I’ll help you work out which resin is best for your project, whether you’re making jewellery, using silicone moulds, creating ocean art, pouring coasters or working on deeper casts.
I teach resin workshops here at the Create & Bloom studio in the Cotswolds, and choosing the right resin is one of the questions I’m asked most often. So let’s make it simple.
What are the main types of resin?
For most craft projects, you’ll come across four main types: epoxy resin, fast-set epoxy resin, deep cast resin and UV resin. They may look similar in the bottle, but they behave quite differently once you start working with them.
What is epoxy resin best for?
Epoxy resin is one of the most versatile choices for craft projects. It’s ideal for resin art, coasters, trays, jewellery, moulds, artwork and mixed-media pieces. Most epoxy resins come as two parts — resin and hardener — which are measured and mixed together before pouring.
If you’re a beginner, a regular art or coating resin is usually a good place to start because it gives you enough working time to mix colours, remove bubbles and pour without feeling rushed.
Which epoxy resin should I choose?
The right resin depends on what you’re making. For artwork, coasters and shallow pours, choose an art or coating resin. For deeper moulds and thicker pours, use a deep-pour or casting resin. For tumblers and projects where you want a quicker cure, a fast-set resin may be more suitable.
The most important thing is to use a resin designed for the depth and type of project you’re making. Using the wrong resin can lead to overheating, bubbles, poor curing or disappointing results.
What is deep cast resin and when should I use it?
Deep cast resin is designed for thicker pours. It cures more slowly than standard epoxy resin, which helps control the heat created while the resin cures. It’s a good choice for deeper silicone moulds, larger castings and projects where you need to pour a greater depth of resin.
Don’t assume that pouring a regular coating resin more deeply will give the same result. Always check the recommended maximum pour depth for the resin you’re using.
What is fast-set resin best for?
Fast-set resin is useful when you want a much quicker cure. It’s particularly handy for tumblers, thin coatings and projects where you don’t want to wait as long between stages.
The trade-off is that you usually have less working time, so you’ll need to have your colours, tools and project ready before you start mixing. If you’re completely new to resin, a regular-set resin can feel a little more relaxed while you learn.
What is UV resin and when should I use it?
UV resin is different because it doesn’t need to be mixed with a hardener. It stays liquid until it’s exposed to UV light, allowing you to work on your piece and then cure it quickly under a suitable UV lamp.
It’s brilliant for small projects such as jewellery, bezels, charms, pressed flowers and other thin applications. It’s also handy when you only need a tiny amount of resin rather than mixing a full batch of epoxy.
UV resin isn’t designed for large or deep pours, so for bigger moulds, coasters and artwork, an epoxy resin is usually the better choice.
Which resin should I use for my project?
Here’s a simple guide:
- Resin art and artwork: Art or coating epoxy resin
- Coasters and shallow moulds: Epoxy resin
- Deep silicone moulds and thicker castings: Deep cast resin
- Jewellery, bezels and small pressed-flower pieces: UV resin or suitable epoxy resin
- Tumblers and quick thin coatings: Fast-set resin
- Ocean art and waves: Art or coating epoxy resin
- Small details and quick repairs: UV resin
Frequently asked questions about choosing resin
What is the best resin for beginners?
For most beginners, a regular-set epoxy resin is a great place to start. It gives you more working time to mix, colour and pour your resin without feeling rushed. The best choice will still depend on what you’re planning to make, so always check that the resin is suitable for your project and pour depth.
Can I use the same resin for every project?
Not always. Different resins are designed for different pour depths, curing times and types of project. A resin that works beautifully for a thin coating may not be suitable for a deep mould, while UV resin is ideal for small jewellery pieces but not large pours. Choosing the right resin for the job will give you much better results.
How do I know how much resin I need?
The amount of resin you need depends on the size, shape and depth of your project. For moulds, you can often estimate the volume by filling the mould with water first and measuring the amount used — but make sure the mould is completely clean and dry before adding resin. For larger artwork and coatings, calculate the surface area and check the coverage guidance for the resin you’re using.
Ready to start creating with resin?
Choosing the right resin makes the whole creative process so much easier. Think about what you’re making, how deep your pour will be and how much working time you’d like before choosing your resin.
At Create & Bloom Crafts, we stock resins for everything from jewellery and small moulds to artwork, tumblers and deeper casts, alongside pigments, glitters, moulds and all the lovely extras that make resin crafting so addictive.
And if you’re still unsure which resin is right for your project, just ask — we’re always happy to help you choose.