ResinKriti Journal
Essential Resin Art Materials & Supplies — A 2026 Beginner Guide
Walk into any resin art kit on Amazon India and you will see forty items rattling in a box. You actually need about eight. This guide breaks down the supplies that matter, what to spend extra on, and what to leave on the shelf.
1. Epoxy resin — pick UV-resistant, always
The resin itself is the single most important purchase. Two parts — resin (Part A) and hardener (Part B) — usually mixed 1:1 by volume. For art and jewellery, choose a crystal-clear, low-odour, UV-resistant epoxy. Cheap resin yellows within months of sunlight; UV-stable resin stays clear for years.
Skip: polyester resin (toxic fumes, brittle) and unbranded "art resin" with no datasheet.
Budget: ₹1,200–₹2,500 per 500 g of trusted brand resin in India.
2. Safety gear — non-negotiable
Liquid epoxy is a skin sensitiser. Every studio session needs:
- Nitrile gloves (latex doesn't block epoxy)
- Respirator with organic-vapour cartridges — a dust mask is not enough
- Safety glasses for pouring and sanding
- Cross-ventilation — open windows, ideally a fan blowing fumes away from you
If a starter kit doesn't include proper PPE, buy it separately before you mix a single drop.
3. Mixing tools
Disposable plastic cups with measurement markings, flat wooden stir sticks, and a digital scale (if you're working by weight). Silicone mixing cups can be cleaned and reused — a good investment after your third project.
Pro tip: stir slowly for 3 minutes, scraping the sides and bottom. Aggressive stirring traps air and gives you bubbles that won't pop out.
4. Molds — silicone, not plastic
Silicone molds release cured resin cleanly without spray. Plastic molds need release agents and often crack the piece. Start with three shapes:
- A coaster mold (round or square, ~9 cm)
- A tray mold for your first decor piece
- A keychain or jewellery mold for offcuts
Food-safe silicone is worth the extra ₹200 if you might ever pour a serving tray.
5. Colourants and inclusions
Mica powder gives shimmer, alcohol ink creates organic swirls, and resin-safe pigment paste delivers solid opaque colour. A starter palette of 6 mica shades is enough for a year of projects.
For inclusions: dried flowers (silica-gel dried — see our colour preservation guide), gold leaf, glitter, sea shells, photos sealed with mod podge. Never embed anything containing moisture — see this article for why.
6. Bubble removal
A small butane kitchen torch (₹400–₹800) passed quickly over the surface pops bubbles instantly. Heat guns work too but blow dust around. Toothpicks help for tight corners and trapped bubbles around dried flowers.
7. Workspace essentials
A level surface (use a small spirit level — sloped tables ruin coasters), a dust cover (cardboard box over wet pieces), and silicone sheets or freezer paper under everything. Drips cure rock-hard and won't come off your dining table.
What to skip in starter kits
- Tiny "rainbow" glitter packs — they sink and look cheap.
- The 30-mold "value pack" — most shapes you'll never use.
- Spray release agents — silicone molds don't need them.
- Pre-mixed coloured resin bottles — you can't control the shade.
A realistic first-purchase list
For around ₹3,500–₹4,500 you can buy: 500 g UV-resistant epoxy, nitrile gloves, a respirator, mixing cups, three silicone molds, a 6-shade mica set, and a butane torch. That's enough to make a tray, four coasters, and a dozen keychains — and a real test of whether you enjoy the medium before you spend more.
Ready to try? Start with our beginner walkthrough — a foolproof first coaster project.
Prefer to skip the studio?
Many of our customers start out wanting to DIY and then commission a piece for the memory that really matters — wedding bouquets, baby's first rakhi, a parent's last temple offering. If you want museum-quality resin without the setup, we craft bespoke keepsakes from your flowers and photos.