How to Cast Resin Crafts
Resin is a clear acrylic or polyester medium that mixes together as a liquid and dries hard and clear. It's popular for jewelry making and craft projects like paper weights or insect preservation. Resin casting is the art of embedding an object in resin, usually in a resin mold, in a multistep process that can take a little practice to master. Almost any type of object can be cast into resin.
Things You'll Need
- Craft resin
- Resin mold
- Mold release
- Newspaper
- Paper cup
- Wooden craft stick
- Object to embed
- Photo to embed
- Decoupage medium
- Paint brush
Instructions
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1
Choose an object to embed. Nearly any item can be cast into resin, like small toys, photographs, leaves, insects, flowers or coins. The object must be smaller than the resin mold by at least half. Papers and photos must be treated before they can be cast to protect the ink.
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2
Prepare your papers or photos by coating them in multiple layers of a water-based decoupage medium like Mod Podge. Use a paintbrush to coat one side, then allow to dry. Turn it over and coat the other side. Repeat the process until you have six to eight coats of medium on each side.
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3
Select a mold. The mold should be slightly bigger than the object you intend to embed to allow resin to surround and coat it. Choose from pre-made resin molds, pre-made resin jewelry findings or use items like ice cube trays or small plastic containers.
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4
Protect yourself and your work surface by laying down newspaper and putting on rubber or vinyl gloves.
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5
Coat the inside of your mold with resin release or you will likely have difficulty removing the resin cast. Skip the resin release if you're using jewelry molds that are meant to permanently house your casting.
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6
Mix your resin. Follow the package directions to make sure you have the correct ration of resin to resin catalyst. Stir for two minutes to help the resin begin to set.
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7
Place your treated image or papers against the back of your mold and fill to just below the top with resin. Sip this step if you're embedding an object into your mold and not using paper items.
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8
Half-fill your resin mold if you'll be embedding objects. Allow the resin to cure for at least 20 minutes so that it reaches a gel- or jelly-like consistency. This Keeps your embedded object from sinking to the bottom of your mold.
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9
Embed your object. Press it gently into your mold to help press out any air bubbles and to make sure resin coats it on all the bottom and sides.
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Top off with more resin until it reaches just below the top of the mold.
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Let hard set for 48 to 72 hours. Avoid handling during this time to prevent permanent finger prints. At this point, your casting is complete and you can use it as-is or make other craft projects with it, such as paperweights or jewelry.
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