Top 10 Common Mistakes While Doing Resin Art

Top 10 Common Mistakes While Doing Resin Art

As much as art is about beauty, the process of creation is all about embracing chaos and imperfections. Becoming an artist is just as chaotic. You have to thrive in the messy trials and errors to emerge at the other end of the tunnel with something that feels truly rewarding.

If you're a young resin artist and all this intimidates you, this blog is for you. 

Read to know about the 10 common mistakes most beginners make, and gather pro-tips that will help you navigate this process.

1) Incorrect or inadequate mixing: 

If your final resin piece remains gel-like or turns brittle even after curing for the prescribed time, either of these could be the reason:

  • An inaccurate resin-to-hardener ratio
  • Insufficient mixing
    In either case, patches in the resin remain under-cured.

Getting the ratio right is crucial. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions. For instance:

You can perform this calculation seamlessly by using a weighing scale machine. 

Mix for 2–3 minutes in a gentle but continuous motion, scraping the sides, bottom, and corners of your mixing cup to get a uniform blend.

Patience is the key — be it life or resin art!

2} Pigment Overdose:

Still getting a gel-like texture even after mixing correctly? You might be using an excess quantity of pigment or glitter.

While the shimmer is tempting, for small projects, even a couple of pinches would do the trick. Quantity should scale in proportion to the amount of resin and the size of the mould.

Even a little glitter can give the brightest shimmer — less is more!

3} Starting Unprepared:

Spills and chaos, irritation in your eyes or skin due to direct resin exposure or dust settling on the surface affecting your end results—these are seemingly tiny, but if you ignore them, you may mess up big time.

Always have a checklist for your essentials-

  • Gloves, goggles, and masks- safety is indispensable 
  • Workspace preparation –old sheets/spreads out to keep all supplies
  • Moulds- clean and free of any dust or residue from previous use. 

It’s always good to be prepared before the chaos unleashes!

4} Pouring too thick: 

Are bubbles ruining your art? Is the piece overheating or uneven?

Chances are that using the wrong resin type for your project. Remember-art/coating resin is ideal for thin layers only, and for thicker pours, use deep-pour epoxy. 

It is equally likely that you are pouring too thick all at once. Even for thick castings, always pour multiple thin layers for best results.

Artists never chase speed – going slow but steady is always the secret to fine craftsmanship.

5} Overambitious Designs:

It's easy to get excited and try to replicate complex resin creations right away. But taking on too much too soon can lead to disappointment, waste of materials, and loss of motivation.

Start simple. 

If ambition gives way to great art, then overambitiousness stands in the way of it!

To support the ambitions of new artists, Oytra offers a wide range of art resin kits that help you master the basics before you venture out for other resin experiments.

OYTRA'S RESIN KITS PACK EVERYTHING THAT A BEGINNER NEEDS- NOT JUST THE MATERIALS BUT ALSO A DETAILED GUIDE CARD EXPLAINING THE STEPS TO FOLLOW!   
 {CLICK ON THE IMAGE TO EXPLORE THE KITS}

6.} Demoulding In a Haste:

There’s a stipulated curing time for every type of resin. Resin first attains touch dryness, meaning the surface feels dry to the touch. Curing refers to the complete hardening of the resin throughout, and it takes longer.

Know about the right curing time for the resin type you’re handling- 

  • Art Resin / Coating Resin:
    8 hours to become tacky, 12 hours to attain touch dryness. 95% cured by 24–48 hours. Ready to demould after up to 72 hours.
  • Casting Resin / Deep Pour Epoxy:
    Initial set in 18–24 hours but full cure in 36–48 hours before. 

For the quickest curing and a hassle-free process, try UV Resin that comes with a UV Lamp. It’s ideal for small Jewellery pieces, charms, and quick fixes. 

CLICK ON THE IMAGE  TO BUY OYTRA 200 gms UV RESIN -UV LAMP COMBO SET 

Don’t rush the reveal—good things take time.

7.} Falling behind the working time

When you’re just starting out, you may falter and fidget, taking your own sweet time figuring out the ways of resin. If embellishments like glitter, dried flowers, or stones are added too late, they won’t bond well and might sink or float.

Knowing about the working time of your chosen resin type puts you at an advantage of avoiding this mistake.

8.} Using the wrong mould- 

Why silicone? Why not those leftover plastic containers? After all, they’re easy to find and feel like a budget-friendly shortcut, right? 

 

Here’s the truth—resin is a chemical that emits heat during curing, and the larger the piece, the more heat it generates. Most plastic containers—especially food-grade or single-use ones—aren’t built to handle even small amounts of heat. 

Even if you’re making a tiny casting, it might look perfect on the surface, but once you try to demould, things can go south fast. The resin sticks, the container melts or warps, and your entire piece could be ruined.

Silicone moulds, however, are made to handle this process. They offer:

  • Heat resistance for safe curing
  • Flexibility for easy demoulding
  • Non-stick surfaces that prevent damage
  • Durability and reusability for multiple projects

You can choose from our wide range of budget-friendly silicone moulds- Coaster Moulds- Set of 4 or Set of 6, 3D Alphabet Keychain Moulds,  Tea Tray Mould  with Handles.

CLICK ON THE IMAGE TO VISIT OYTRA'S WEBSITE AND EXPLORE OUR RANGE OF SILICONE MOULDS 

 

9.} Working in a Humid Environment-

Humidity or high moisture levels in the air can cause bubbles or incomplete curing. Work in a controlled, dry environment to avoid this.

10.} Leaving the mould uncovered-

As basic as it might sound, it's one of the most common mistakes that can cost your entire creation. Despite everything turning out to be completely perfect, a speck of dust 

 

 

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