UV Resin - Everything You Need to Know to Get Started
Are you unfamiliar with UV resin and want to know how to get started? Have you wondered why someone might use UV resin rather than epoxy resin? Or have you already tried using it but need some more ideas to get inspired? Keep reading below.
What is it?
First, let’s talk about UV resin. What makes it different from epoxy resin is the way that it hardens, or cures. Epoxy resins come in two parts, and when combined create a chemical reaction to turn the solutions from a liquid to a solid. This type of resin is cured by using a special lamp to create a photochemical reaction.
Why Use UV Resin Instead of Epoxy Resin?
While epoxy resins are best for large casting projects, UV resin layers must not be more than 3-4mm in order to cure properly. Typically this version of resin is used for making jewelry, casting small pieces, adhering, or coating projects.
Benefits of Using UV Resin over Epoxy Resin:
- Curing speed is fast, project time is shortened. No need to wait 24 hours in between layers.
- Because the epoxy does not cure without a UV light, you are offered more flexibility in your project. Unlike epoxy resin, you don’t have to worry about the resin seizing up on you if you take too long.
- It is a one part product. No need to mix anything or worry about improper combination.
What You Need to Get Started
To get started making custom pieces, of course you are going to need a bottle of resin. Amazon has many to choose from as you can see below. What size you choose depends on how quickly you think you will use it. Please keep in mind, the shelf life of the medium is up to two years.
Secondly, you will need to purchase a UV lamp. These come in a variety of styles from flashlights to tabletop. The important thing to note is the wattage. For fastest curing times, be sure to get a lamp with at least 36 Watts (36W) to ensure proper curing.
Basic Tools Needed
The number of tools you need to work with resin is completely dependent on how much money you want to spend. You can certainly use what you have on hand to get started by protecting your surface with newspaper, using disposable cups to mix things into your resin, and even popcicle sticks to stir. However, if you want to be sustainable and re-use your tools, you want to look into silicone items. We suggest purchasing a silicone mat to cover your work surface. Using a mat makes clean-up a breeze. You can wipe off uncured resin using a cotton ball and rubbing alcohol. Another way to clean it up is to cure it using your lamp and it pops right off.
Not only can you purchase silicone mats for easy clean-up and resusability, but you can also purchase mixing tools and cups made of silicone for the same reason. Just like the mat, you can clean your tools by using a cotton ball with rubbing alcohol or pop them under the curing lamp to harden the resin for easy removal.
It is important when working with resin to protect your skin, so you will want to get some latex gloves or finger cots.
Silicone Molds
As mentioned at the top of the article, this type of resin works best for smaller projects rather than deep resin pours. One of the most common uses for UV resin is jewelry projects. There are several bezel shaped silicone molds you can use with your resin that would be great for earrings, necklaces, and even keychains!
How Else Can I Use This Type of Resin?
Resin cured by UV light can be used to coat or dome over projects in addition to being cast in small projects. Visit our projects here to see examples of this:
What Can You Mix Into UV Resin?
There are many things you can mix into your resin that will give you a custom look. To change the color of your resin, there are a few options, and each will give you a different result.
Key Tip: Add mix-ins to your uncured resin in small amounts. The curing light needs to be able to penetrate the resin all the way to cure it completely. If there is too much of something added to the resin it may never harden. We suggest testing your mixture by dropping some on your silicone mat and hitting it with the light to ensure a complete cure.
It is also important to remember that your layers need to be THIN in order to get the desired result. Build layers on top of already cured layers to build up thickness if that’s what you want.
Alcohol Inks
Alcohol inks are fast drying, highly pigmented alcohol based inks. When these are added to resin, it will give it a transparent color, however white alcohol ink will be opaque. You can also play around with the color by adding a drop to the surface of already hardened resin. This will give the piece a different look.
Opaque Liquid Pigment
Rather than mixing the transparent alcohol ink with the white alcohol ink yourself to get the desired color, you can buy opaque liquid pigment that is already made. This takes the guesswork out of color combining for ease of use.
Mica Powder
Mica powder is a natural shimmery, opalescent powder that comes from crushing stone. It would be best described as very, very fine glitter. When mixed into the liquid resin, your finished product will have a shimmery effect throughout. Alternatively, you can brush mica powder onto your mold before adding the resin to give only the surface a shimmery look.
There are many negative environemental and social impacts of mica mining, so we suggest looking for ethically sourced materials. The products linked here all proport to be ethically sourced. (click on the photo to be taken to Amazon)
Glitter
Glitter is a classic go-to for a resin add-in. You can use glitter of all types, but don’t forget, you can’t add so much that the light cannot penetrate the project. To build up a more glittery final product, it is often best to apply multiple layers.
Is There Anything Else I Can Add to UV Resin?
- beads
- loose eye shadow
- shaped glitter
- dried flowers
- polymer clay cane slices
- waterslide decals
- treated photos
- and much, much more!
Play around, experiment, try something just to find out if it works. You may land on something no one else has ever tried before. Which project do you think you’ll try first?We’d love to see what you’ve made! Be sure to tag us on Instagram, Facebook, or Tiktok.
7 thoughts on “UV Resin 101 – How to Get Started”
Hi
Can you use the uv lights with the a and b resin
Thank you
What a great question! Unfortunately, the way that AB resin cures is different from how UV resin does, so the light will not work on the two-part variety.
Can you use IV resin over a b resin for a glaze over effect?
Oh! Yes, you can do that.
I mean after the a b resin is cured. Also, can I seal paper with IV resin?
If you want to seal paper with resin, you’ll need to seal the paper first with something like Mod Podge. Otherwise it will bleed into the paper fibers. You want to create that barrier before using the resin.
Thanks for the information. I finally got my things that I will be needing. I’m ready to get started.