Art starts with curiosity. Pouring resin and coloring it with different paints has become a common experiment in craft circles. Acrylic paints often sit close to resin bottles in most art studios, and many hands have itched to mix the two. Doing this feels like an easy trick, but a few roadblocks need mentioning. I’ve mixed my fair share of batches, and that personal trial and error has taught me solid lessons about what works—and what usually ends up a sticky mess.
Epoxy resin stays clear and glossy, and this is a big part of its appeal. Acrylic paint, being water-based, throws a wrench into the mix. Water and resin have trouble getting along. Acrylics bring moisture, and moisture can cloud or even ruin the hardening process. The risk here: cloudy finish, soft spots, or even sticky surfaces that never fully cure. One poorly planned project left me with a tablet cover that stuck to everything it touched—hardly a win for function or beauty.
Some makers will say they never hit a problem, and sometimes that luck holds. Yet, plenty of crafters end up with bubbles and unexpected textures. If aiming for a transparent or glass-like finish, stick with resin pigments sold for the job. Resin colorants avoid water and match the resin’s chemistry, keeping the results clear and strong after the pour.
Acrylic paint gives vibrant colors that show up even in small doses, so it can be tempting to use. In small amounts, acrylic paint might seem fine for resin. I tested a few drops of fluid acrylic in a coaster pour; the color sat there nicely. Problems snuck in later. Tiny cracks appeared after curing, and humidity made those cracks grow. Over time, projects like these often show signs of breakdown faster than pigment-only pours.
Mixing amounts matter. Adding too much paint can thicken resin, make it tough to stir, and throw off the delicate balance that lets resin cure. Most experts suggest keeping the added paint under ten percent of the total volume. Even then, uncertainty lingers. It’s not a trick that works with every type of resin, and each formula reacts a little differently.
Experienced resin artists stand by professional resin dyes and pastes because they avoid the water problem entirely. Powdered pigments also work well and give a bold, solid color without the risk of moisture disrupting the mix. These colorants stay stable with age, which is important for any project meant to stand up to sunlight or handling. For anyone who wants to use acrylic paint, doing small test pours first can keep big projects from failing later. Some use alcohol inks, oil-based paints, or even specialty mica powders which hold up much longer in epoxy and avoid unwanted clouding.
Accuracy in materials isn't just about looks. Pieces going into kitchens, bathrooms, or serving food need to stay safe and consistent. Using the wrong additive could leach unwanted substances or fail if washed. Manufacturers and safety boards provide clear guidance for a reason, and following their suggestions saves supplies—and frustration. In short, it pays to start with materials made for resin, saving the wild experiments for smaller standalone pieces.
