Can You Start Resin Art for Under $100? Yes You Can! And Here’s How!

Resin art has exploded online—scroll through Instagram or Pinterest and you’ll see glossy coasters, sparkling trays, and jaw-dropping river tables that look like they belong in a gallery. But here’s the catch: a lot of beginners think resin art comes with a big price tag. Between the resin itself, pigments, molds, and tools, it can feel like you need hundreds of dollars before you even mix your first batch.

Here’s the truth: you don’t. With smart shopping, a focus on essentials, and a little resourcefulness, you can absolutely start resin art for under $100. Think of it like dipping your toes into the resin world without diving headfirst into debt.

In this guide, I’ll break down the must-haves, budget hacks, and even the common traps that make beginners overspend. By the end, you’ll know exactly how to set yourself up to pour your very first project—without your wallet screaming for mercy.

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Grab your FREE Beginners Guide Of Supplies You Need To Begin Creating Beautiful
Resin Art Today For UNDER $100!

The Essentials You Really Need to Begin

Resin art is one of those crafts where it’s tempting to buy everything. Fancy pigments, endless molds, shiny new tools—it’s all so tempting. But if you want to stay under $100, you need to separate the “must-haves” from the “nice-to-haves.” Here’s your starter checklist.

Resin and Hardener

This is the heart of the whole process. Without it, you don’t have resin art—you just have an empty mold and dreams. The good news? Beginner-sized sets (usually 8oz–16oz) are affordable and perfect for learning. They cure just as beautifully as the big bottles, but you won’t feel guilty if you mess up a batch or two.

When shopping, look for brands that specifically say “beginner-friendly” or “low bubble.” Also, avoid buying resin in bulk until you know how quickly you’ll actually use it. It may look like a bargain, but gallons of resin sitting in your closet won’t make you an artist any faster.

Safety Gear

This is non-negotiable. Resin looks harmless, but it can be tough on your skin and lungs. You need:

• Nitrile gloves (a box will last ages)

• A respirator mask or basic safety mask (ventilation is key!)

• Protective surface covering (cardboard, a plastic sheet, or a cheap silicone mat)

These don’t cost much but protect you from sticky fingers, harsh fumes, and ruined furniture. Think of them as your “art seatbelt.” You wouldn’t drive without one—don’t pour without these.

Mixing Cups, Sticks, and Molds

Resin mixing doesn’t require branded tools. You can get silicone measuring cups for a few dollars, reusable stir sticks, or even popsicle sticks from the dollar store. For molds, start small: coasters, keychains, or jewelry molds are affordable and use very little resin. Silicone is best since it pops pieces out easily and can be reused dozens of times.

Here’s a trick: raid your kitchen or craft drawer. Old yogurt cups? Perfect for mixing. Leftover takeout containers? Great for catching drips. Just make sure whatever you use never goes back into food rotation.

Budget-Friendly Shopping Tips

Resin supplies can eat your budget fast—unless you shop smart. Here’s how to stretch every dollar.

Starter Kits vs. Buying Separate

Starter kits are great if you want the “all-in-one” approach. They usually include resin, pigments, and molds. If you’re brand new, this saves the hassle of hunting things down separately. The downside? Kits sometimes include things you don’t need right away, and the resin amounts are tiny.

Buying separately, on the other hand, lets you control exactly what you get. Already have gloves and cups? Skip them and put that money into resin or a good mold. If you’re careful, buying piece by piece can keep you well under $100 while giving you more value.

Smart Substitutes

This is where the real savings happen. Look around your house:

• Toothpicks → bubble poppers & mini stirrers

• Hairdryer → heat gun for small projects

• Old cutting board or tray → resin workspace protector

• Plastic tablecloth → spill catcher

Why spend $20 on a resin mat when you can use a $2 shower curtain liner? The trick is to think creatively and reuse what you already have.

Where to Buy Cheap

• Amazon: kits and bulk deals

• Dollar store: cups, sticks, gloves, table covers

• Craft stores: small molds (always check clearance aisles!)

• Online resin shops: sometimes run beginner discounts

Mixing and matching where you shop makes all the difference.

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Grab your FREE Beginners Guide Of Supplies You Need To Begin Creating Beautiful
Resin Art Today For UNDER $100!

What You Can Make with Just $100

Once you’ve got your budget setup, what can you actually make? A lot more than you’d think.

Coasters and Small Molds

Coasters are the classic beginner project. They don’t use much resin, they’re functional, and they let you practice pouring, mixing colors, and learning how resin behaves. A basic coaster mold plus a small resin kit? Easily under $40.

Jewelry and Keychains

Tiny molds are cheap, and they use drops of resin. You can embed dried flowers, glitter, beads—whatever you like. They’re fast to make, easy to gift, and a great way to experiment with pigments without wasting resin.

Want to turn your hobby into a side hustle? Jewelry and keychains are also the easiest way to test if people want to buy your work.

Simple Trays or Bookmarks

If you’ve got a little extra budget, silicone tray molds or bookmark molds are inexpensive and still don’t guzzle resin. They’re great “next step” projects once you get the hang of coasters and jewelry.

Mistakes That Waste Money

If I could go back to my early resin days, here are the budget killers I’d warn myself about:

• Buying bulk too soon: Yes, it’s cheaper per ounce. But if you waste resin through mistakes, that “deal” becomes very expensive.

• Overloading on pigments: You don’t need 30 colors. Start with 3–4 basics and learn how to mix your own shades.

• Impulse-buying molds: Those giant tray molds or river table molds look exciting, but they’ll swallow up resin (and your budget) in one pour. Start small.

• Skipping safety gear: You’ll pay for it later in ruined clothes, irritated skin, or worse. Trust me—buy the gloves.

Final Thoughts: Creativity Doesn’t Have to Be Expensive

At the end of the day, resin art is about experimenting, learning, and creating something beautiful—not about how much you spend on supplies. For under $100, you can get resin, a few molds, safety gear, and the basic tools to create your very first piece.

Don’t let the glossy online setups fool you. You don’t need a full studio to start. You just need the essentials, a bit of patience, and the willingness to have fun (and maybe laugh at your first few wobbly pours).

Your first project won’t be perfect—and that’s the point. Resin art is about the process as much as the result. So grab that starter kit, set up your “budget-friendly” workspace, and get pouring. The magic isn’t in the money you spend—it’s in your creativity.

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Grab your FREE Beginners Guide Of Supplies You Need To Begin Creating Beautiful
Resin Art Today For UNDER $100!