How to Make Resin Coasters: A Step-by-Step Tutorial for Beginners

Resin coasters are one of the best first projects for anyone getting into resin art. They're small, quick to make, endlessly customizable, and double as beautiful handmade gifts or a way to add color to your own home. Here's a complete step-by-step guide to making your own, from setup to finished piece.

What You'll Need

• Epoxy resin and hardener (a self-leveling formula is easiest for beginners)
• Silicone coaster molds (round, square, or hexagon — whatever shape you like)
• Graduated mixing cups
• Stir sticks
• Nitrile gloves
• Safety glasses
• Heat gun or torch
• Resin-safe pigments (mica powder, liquid pigment, or pigment paste)
• Silicone mat to protect your work surface
• Level to check your surface

Step 1: Prepare Your Workspace

• Set up in a well-ventilated, dust-free area
• Cover your surface with a silicone mat
• Check that your surface is completely level using a small level — this is critical, since even a slight tilt will cause resin to pool unevenly across the coaster
• Place your silicone molds on the mat, spaced apart for easy pouring

Step 2: Measure and Mix the Resin

• Measure equal parts (or your resin's specific ratio) of resin and hardener into a graduated mixing cup
• Stir slowly and thoroughly for 2–3 minutes, scraping the sides and bottom of the cup to ensure everything is fully combined
• Avoid whipping or stirring too fast — this introduces excess air bubbles

Step 3: Add Color

This is where your coasters get their personality.

• Divide mixed resin into smaller cups if you want multiple colors
• Add a small amount of mica powder, liquid pigment, or pigment paste, starting light — you can always add more
• Stir each color thoroughly until fully blended

Popular coaster color techniques:

• Ocean effect — layered blues and whites with a metallic mica swirl
• Geode style — a colored or clear base with a "crystal" edge using white and gold mica
• Marbled swirl — two or three colors poured together and gently swirled with a toothpick
• Solid color with gold flakes — a single bold color with metallic leaf or flakes suspended inside

Step 4: Pour Into the Mold

• Pour your resin slowly into the silicone mold, filling to the recommended depth (usually about ¼ inch, or per your mold's instructions)
• If using multiple colors, pour them in sections or layers, then use a toothpick to gently swirl for a marbled effect
• Avoid overfilling — resin will self-level but shouldn't overflow the mold's edges

Step 5: Remove Bubbles

• Pass a heat gun or torch lightly over the surface of each coaster within the first 15–20 minutes
• Move it in quick sweeping motions — don't hold it in one place, which can scorch the resin
• Check again after 5–10 minutes, since more bubbles can rise as the resin settles

Step 6: Add Inclusions (Optional)

If you want to embed dried flowers, glitter, foil flakes, or small decorative items:

• Pour a thin base layer of resin first and let it partially set (usually 1–2 hours, until slightly tacky)
• Place your inclusion on top
• Pour a second layer of resin over it to fully encapsulate

This two-layer method keeps lightweight inclusions from floating to the surface.

Step 7: Cover and Let Cure

• Cover your molds with a dust cover (an upside-down box or plastic bin works well) to keep debris out while curing
• Avoid touching, moving, or bumping the mold during the tacky stage
• Curing typically takes 24–72 hours, depending on your resin brand — check your product's instructions for exact timing

Step 8: Demold

• Once fully cured, gently flex the silicone mold to release the coaster
• If it's sticking, avoid forcing it — let it cure a bit longer and try again
• Check the edges for any rough spots

Step 9: Sand and Finish (Optional)

• Lightly sand any rough edges with fine-grit sandpaper (400–600 grit)
• For a matte finish, sand the top surface as well, or apply a matte topcoat spray
• Add cork backing to the bottom of each coaster for grip and to protect surfaces from scratches

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Skipping the level check — an uneven surface leads to lopsided coasters
• Overfilling the mold — resin can overflow and create a messy edge
• Rushing the cure time — demolding too early can warp or damage the coaster
• Overloading with pigment — too much color additive can prevent proper curing
• Not sealing inclusions properly — dried flowers or paper can absorb resin unevenly if not pre-sealed

Final Thoughts

Resin coasters are a simple, satisfying project that lets you practice core resin techniques — mixing, coloring, bubble removal, and curing — on a small scale before moving to bigger pieces. They also make fantastic handmade gifts and a great way to test new color combinations.

At TA Art Gallery, we carry coaster molds, resin-safe pigments, cork backing, and all the tools you need to make your own custom coaster sets from start to finish.