Your First Resin Coaster:
A Foolproof Step-by-Step Tutorial

Why Start with Resin Coasters?

Resin coasters are one of the best beginner projects. They’re small, manageable, and forgiving. Even if something goes wrong, you won’t lose hours of work or precious keepsakes. At My Flower Keepsake, I’ve worked on sentimental wedding flowers and heirlooms, but I still recommend coasters as the perfect first step for anyone learning resin. They help you practice the essentials—measuring, mixing, pouring, and curing—without the pressure of working on something irreplaceable.

What You’ll Need (Beginner-Friendly Checklist)

Resin & Colors

• Two-part epoxy resin (beginner brands usually use a 1:1 ratio by volume)
  Start with a cheap brand to begin experimenting with. Epoxy resin kit 64oz

• Pigments: mica powder, Indian Ink, or alcohol ink in small amounts. Mica powder,
  Indian Ink set
  Alcohol Ink Kit

• Optional extras: glitter, dried flowers, or gold leaf flakes Glitter set,
  Dried Flowers
  Gold Flakes
  

Basic Tools

• Silicone coaster mold (round or square works fine) Silicone coaster molds set

• Mixing cups and stir sticks Mixing cup & stick set

• Digital scale (if your resin measures by weight) Digital scale

• Heat gun or small torch for bubbles Torch

• Toothpicks and tweezers for details Tweezers set

• Level to keep your surface flat Leveler

Safety Essentials

• Nitrile gloves

• Apron or old clothes

• Good ventilation (and a respirator if your resin requires it) Respirator

• Dust cover (a plastic bin works perfectly) Dust covers

Finishing Supplies

• Wet/dry sandpaper (start with 400 grit and move up to 1200+) Sandpaper kit

• Microfiber cloth

• Cork or silicone feet for the underside Circle Coaster Cork Circle & Square Cork kit

Safety First

Working with resin is safe as long as you take the right precautions. Always wear gloves, protect your clothes, and work in a well-ventilated space. Keep food and drinks out of your workspace, and cover your projects while they cure to avoid dust. Remember: read the instructions on your resin brand carefully—they’re all slightly different.

Resin Basics for Beginners

• Mix Ratio: Most beginner-friendly brands use 1:1 by volume. Accuracy is key.

• Working Time: Usually 20–45 minutes depending on your resin and room temperature.

• Cure Time: Touch-dry in 8–12 hours, fully cured in 24–72.

• Temperature: Resin cures best between 70–75°F (21–24°C).

Step-by-Step: Making Your First Resin Coaster

Step 1: Prepare Your Workspace

Cover your table with a silicone mat or disposable plastic. Make sure your surface is level and your mold is clean and dry.

Step 2: Plan Your Design

Choose one or two colors or add a simple inclusion like glitter or a small sealed flower. Keep it simple for your first attempt.

Step 3: Measure Accurately

For a standard coaster, you’ll need around 50–70 ml (2–2.5 oz) of resin. Follow your resin’s mixing instructions carefully.

Step 4: Mix Slowly and Thoroughly

Stir for 3–5 minutes, scraping the sides and bottom. Slow mixing reduces bubbles and ensures your resin cures properly.

Step 5: Add Color or Inclusions

Mix in a small amount of mica powder, dye, or glitter. If you’re using flowers, make sure they’re completely dry and sealed (optional).

Step 6: Pour the Resin

Pour into the center of the mold and let it spread naturally. Don’t overfill—leave a little space at the top.

Step 7: Remove Bubbles

Use a heat gun or small torch to gently pop bubbles on the surface. Keep the tool moving so you don’t overheat the resin or mold.

Step 8: Let It Cure

Cover the mold with a dust shield and leave it undisturbed for the recommended curing time.

Step 9: Demold Carefully

After 12–24 hours, check your coaster. If it’s still flexible, leave it a little longer before removing it from the mold.

Step 10: Finish the Edges

Sand lightly if needed, starting at a lower grit and moving up for a smooth finish.

Step 11: Optional Topcoat

For a high-gloss finish, apply a thin dome coat of resin. This step makes your coaster look extra polished.

Step 12: Add Backing

Stick on cork or silicone feet to protect your surfaces.

Helpful Tips for Success

• Always cover your resin while it cures to keep out dust.

• Use less pigment than you think you need—resin can be sensitive to over-coloring.

• Warm bottles of resin slightly before mixing to reduce thickness and bubbles.

• Test small amounts of resin before trying new colors or effects.

Common Issues and Quick Fixes

• Sticky Surface: Usually caused by an incorrect ratio or under-mixing. Let it cure longer or add a thin, properly mixed topcoat.

• Cloudy Resin: Caused by bubbles or moisture. Work warmer and seal inclusions.

• Uneven Edges: Sand lightly or add a dome coat.

• Warping: Happens if resin cures too quickly or is overheated. Allow proper time and avoid over-torching.

FAQs

Q: Can I use UV resin instead of epoxy?
Epoxy is better for coasters—UV resin can be brittle and yellows faster.

Q: How soon can I use my coaster?
Wait at least 48–72 hours for a full cure before using it.

Q: Why does my coaster feel soft?
It might not have cured fully. Leave it longer or check if your mixing ratio was correct.

Q: Do I need to seal flowers before using them in resin?
Not necessarily so—however it is advisable to avoid trapped bubbles.

Q: Do the flowers have to be fully dry before using them in resin?
Absolutely YES! If they are not completely dried, they will get moldy in the resin. Not a pretty sight...

Conclusion

Making your first resin coaster is a wonderful way to begin your resin journey. It gives you hands-on practice with measuring, mixing, pouring, and finishing—all on a small scale. Once you master this, you’ll feel more confident moving on to larger and more sentimental projects like trays, flower keepsakes, and even furniture pieces.

The best part? Every project teaches you something new. So grab your gloves, prepare your mold, and enjoy the process. You’re about to create something beautiful, practical, and uniquely yours.

Stay tuned for our next Blog post: How to pick the right color medium to use in your resin art.