Epoxy resin opens doors for artists and crafters—turning everyday items into glossy coasters, tabletops, jewelry, and art. Paint brings color, personality, and a sense of identity to any resin project. It’s tempting to reach for the jar of acrylic paint. It’s affordable, easy to find, and already sitting in many cabinets. Yet, the outcome isn't as simple as “add a squirt and mix.”
Epoxy resin comes as two separate bottles—resin and hardener—which need a precise balance. Once blended, this liquid mix cures into a rock-solid, glassy surface. Acrylic paints, at their core, contain water and various binders. Adding water-based acrylic to resin introduces moisture where a strictly chemical process should unfold cleanly. Add too much, and the resin gets cloudy or grainy. Impurities can bubble up, or worse, the resin stays tacky or doesn’t set up at all.
From my experience pouring coasters and charms, I learned the hard way—too much acrylic grays out colors. Subtle cracks or webbing sometimes form. I remember an ambitious try at bold swirls. The piece looked solid, but a couple of weeks later the surface turned soft and sticky. It cost hours of work and taught me to double-check what goes into that mixing cup.
Artists who specialize in resin recommend colorants designed for epoxy. These come as concentrated liquid pigments or powders made to blend smoothly and preserve clarity. Powders, such as mica, produce brilliant, shimmering effects. Inks meant for resin behave predictably and come in endless colors—without messing up the chemistry that makes the resin cure.
The difference isn’t just technical. The shine of a deep-set river table or the clarity in jewelry means the right pigment pays off. Proper resin dyes stay suspended in the mix and never settle too quickly. They resist fading under light and rarely shift in tone.
Acrylics do have a place for small, non-critical resin projects, like a DIY kid’s craft or a quick prototype. For these, add a tiny drop at a time. Once the paint makes up more than about 5% of the resin’s total volume, you risk trouble—cloudiness, softness, or separation. Even then, colors turn more opaque, muting the vibrant possibilities resin usually offers.
Using proper pigments costs a little more up front, but saves frustration. I’ve seen too many hobbyists pour their heart into a project, only to peel away sticky, half-cured results. Learning from online communities and maker groups, the consensus matches my own hard-learned lesson: acrylics don’t fit the needs of serious resin work. True resin dyes suit both beginners and professionals. The quality and durability prove themselves every time.
Pick up a bottle of resin pigment. Test a new color on a small batch before moving to a big pour. With each try, document the results. Watch for clouding or bubbles, and stick to formulas that promise a crystal-clear cure. For anyone eager to give their resin projects the best chance, the right dye makes all the difference.
