How to Make Resin Coasters: A Step-by-Step Tutorial for Beginners (and Beyond)

If you have been eyeing those gorgeous resin coasters on Pinterest and wondering if you could actually pull them off at home, the answer is yes — and they are way more beginner-friendly than they look. Resin coasters are one of those crafts that feels like a big project but comes together in just a couple of hours of active work. The hardest part is honestly just waiting for them to cure overnight.

Whether this is your very first time touching resin or you have done a few projects before and want to level up your technique, this tutorial walks you through everything you need to know.

What You Will Need

Before you start, gather your supplies. Having everything laid out before you mix your resin is important because once you mix it, the clock is ticking.

The essentials:

Epoxy resin kit (resin + hardener) — look for one specifically labeled for crafts or casting, not industrial use. A kit like the ArtResin Epoxy Resin or Let’s Resin 16oz Kit is a great starting point.
Silicone coaster molds — round coaster molds are the most forgiving for beginners. A set of 4 is ideal so you can make a complete set in one pour.
Resin pigment or alcohol ink — alcohol inks create beautiful fluid, marbled effects. Resin pigment powders give richer, more opaque color.
Disposable mixing cups — use graduated ones so you can measure accurately. These are my favorite for resin projects.
Wooden stir sticks or silicone spatulas
Nitrile gloves — non-negotiable. Resin is not skin-friendly. These chemical-resistant ones are perfect for resin crafts.
Isopropyl alcohol (91% or higher) — for popping bubbles and cleaning up spills.
A heat gun or culinary torch — for removing surface bubbles. A small heat gun is the easiest tool for this.
A level surface — your coasters will cure exactly how they sit, so make sure your workspace is flat.
Silicone mat or parchment paper — to protect your work surface.

Optional but fun:

Gold or silver leaf flakes
Dried flowers or botanicals
Glitter
Crushed shells

Before You Start: Understanding Resin Basics

If you are brand new to resin, here is what you need to know before you open a single bottle.

Epoxy resin is a two-part system: resin and hardener. When you mix them together in the correct ratio (usually 1:1 or 2:1 depending on your brand — always check your specific kit), a chemical reaction begins. This reaction generates heat and eventually hardens the mixture into a solid, glass-like finish.

A few important things to keep in mind:

Temperature matters. Resin loves warmth. The ideal working temperature is between 72 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. If your space is too cold, the resin will take much longer to cure and may stay tacky. If it is too warm, it can cure too quickly or develop a yellowish tint over time.

Bubbles are normal. Tiny air bubbles form during mixing and that is completely fine. You will remove them later with heat.

Ventilation is important. Work in a well-ventilated space. Open windows or use a fan to keep fresh air moving. Some crafters prefer to wear a respirator mask, especially if they are sensitive to fumes.

Curing vs. drying. Resin does not “dry” — it cures through a chemical process. Most craft resins are touch-dry within 24 hours but reach full hardness at 72 hours. Do not try to rush this by putting them in the oven.

Step-by-Step: How to Make Resin Coasters

Step 1: Set Up Your Workspace

Lay down your silicone mat or a sheet of parchment paper. Set your coaster molds on your flat, level surface. Have all your supplies within arm’s reach.

Put your gloves on before you open any resin bottles. Seriously — do this first, not halfway through.

Step 2: Measure Your Resin

Using your graduated mixing cups, measure out equal parts resin and hardener (or the ratio specified by your brand). For a set of 4 standard round coasters, you will typically need about 4 to 6 oz total of mixed resin.

Tip: Measure into separate cups first, then pour both into a clean, larger mixing cup. This gives you a more accurate measurement.

Step 3: Mix Thoroughly

Stir slowly and steadily for at least 3 to 4 minutes. Scrape the sides and bottom of the cup as you go. Undermixing is one of the most common beginner mistakes and it leads to coasters that stay soft or sticky in spots even after curing.

The mixture will start out cloudy and gradually become clearer as you mix. That is a good sign you are getting it combined properly.

Hands in nitrile gloves stirring epoxy resin in a graduated mixing cup

Step 4: Add Your Color

This is the fun part. Divide your mixed resin into smaller cups if you want to use multiple colors.

Add your chosen colorant — a drop or two of alcohol ink, a small pinch of pigment powder, or a tiny scoop of glitter. Stir each color gently. Start with less than you think you need; you can always add more, but you cannot take it out.

Color ideas for a coaster set:

Sage green + gold flakes (perfect for a cozy, earthy look)
Navy + white + silver swirls
Terracotta + cream + copper
Soft pink + rose gold + white

Step 5: Pour Into Your Molds

Pour your base color into each mold, filling about 80% of the way up. Then drizzle your accent colors on top. You can use a toothpick, skewer, or the tip of your stir stick to swirl the colors together.

Do not over-swirl. A few intentional strokes create beautiful movement. Too much stirring turns everything into a muddy blend.

Pouring and swirling teal and gold colored resin into silicone coaster molds

Step 6: Add Embellishments (Optional)

Now is the time to add dried flowers, gold leaf flakes, shells, or any extras you want embedded in the coaster. Press them lightly into the resin and then do a final small pour over the top to seal them in.

Step 7: Remove Bubbles

This is a step you do not want to skip. Use your heat gun on the lowest setting and wave it quickly over the surface of each coaster, keeping it a few inches above. You will see the bubbles pop almost instantly.

Do not hold the heat in one spot or get too close — you want to skim the surface, not cook the resin.

Repeat once more about 5 minutes after the first pass, as new bubbles can rise to the surface.

Using a mini heat gun to pop bubbles on the surface of poured resin coasters

Step 8: Cover and Let Cure

Loosely cover your molds to keep dust off. A cardboard box turned upside down works great. Leave them completely undisturbed for at least 24 hours.

Resist the urge to check on them. Touching the surface while it is curing will leave fingerprints or dents that you cannot fix.

Step 9: Demold

After 24 hours, gently flex the sides of the silicone mold and push from the bottom to pop your coasters out. They should release cleanly. If they feel slightly flexible, give them another 12 to 24 hours before you unmold — this just means your space was on the cooler side.

Hands demolding a finished terracotta and cream resin coaster from a silicone mold

Step 10: Finish the Edges

The edges of your coasters may have a slight lip or rough spot where the resin met the top of the mold. You can lightly sand these with 400-grit wet/dry sandpaper, then follow up with a finer 800 or 1000 grit for a polished edge.

Wipe away any dust with a damp cloth when you are done.

If you want to add extra protection and a glossy top coat, you can pour a very thin second layer of clear resin over the top surface after sanding. This is optional but gives a beautiful, professional finish.

Set of four finished handmade resin coasters on white marble with a glass of water

Tips for Getting Beautiful Results Every Time

Use a kitchen scale instead of volume cups if your resin allows it. Weighing your resin and hardener is more precise than volume measurement and leads to better cures.

Warm your resin bottles in a bowl of warm water for a few minutes before mixing. This thins the resin slightly and reduces bubbles significantly.

Work in small batches. It is better to do two small pours than one rushed large one.

Label your molds with a sticky note if you are experimenting with different colors so you remember what you did for the ones you love.

Clean up immediately. Uncured resin wipes off with isopropyl alcohol. Cured resin is a different story.

Troubleshooting Common Problems

My coasters are sticky after 24 hours. This usually means the resin and hardener were not measured accurately or not mixed long enough. Unfortunately, sticky coasters cannot be fixed — but you can pour a fresh, accurately-mixed layer of clear resin on top and that will often cure them.

There are bubbles trapped inside. This happens when you add colorants that trap air, or when you pour too quickly. Next time, pour slowly and use the heat gun technique right after pouring. Bubbles trapped deep in the resin before curing are difficult to fix.

The colors blended too much. Let your base color settle for 5 to 10 minutes before adding accent colors on top. This slows the movement and gives you more control over swirls.

The surface looks wavy or uneven. Your surface was not level when the resin cured. Always use a small bubble level to check before walking away.

Display and Gift Ideas

A set of four resin coasters makes one of the most impressive handmade gifts you can give. Pair them in a little gift box with a bottle of wine or a cozy candle and you have a gift that looks like it cost three times what it did.

For your own home, try making sets that coordinate with your seasonal decor. Warm tones and dried botanicals for fall. Icy blues and white swirls for winter. Soft blush and gold for spring.

Once you get comfortable with the basic technique, you can branch out into larger resin projects like trays, serving boards, and jewelry. But honestly, coasters are a perfect place to start and keep coming back to — they are quick, practical, and endlessly customizable.

Shop the Supplies

Here is a quick list of everything you need to get started:

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Ready to give it a try? I would love to see what you make. Share your coasters in the comments below and let me know what color combinations you went with!