Epoxy serving trays exemplify the incredible versatility of epoxy in crafting. These trays, which beautifully blend aesthetics and functionality, make for a perfect beginner project to explore before tackling larger endeavors like river tables or bar tops.

In this article, we’ll guide you through the process of creating your own epoxy serving tray, featuring a river vein that can be left clear or personalized to match your creative vision.

What Are Epoxy Serving Trays?

Before diving into your crafting project, it’s helpful to understand what an epoxy serving tray is.

An epoxy serving tray is a small, handheld tray typically made from one or more pieces of wood, surrounded by a layer of epoxy. The epoxy may partially cover the wooden surface or completely envelop it. Most trays also feature handles on opposite sides for easy transport.

This type of project offers a high level of customization, with many epoxy enthusiasts choosing to incorporate an epoxy river—a shaped vein of epoxy that flows between sections of the wood (or other material). These design elements add elegance to the tray, with the appearance easily enhanced by using colorful pigments and dyes.

Achieve Reliable Results by Choosing the Right Epoxy

One of the most crucial steps in planning your epoxy project is selecting a high-quality, reliable epoxy resin. Today, many low-cost brands compromise on product quality and safety, often skirting regulatory standards by manufacturing their products outside the U.S. and importing them.

To avoid potential issues, invest in high-quality epoxy from a reputable brand committed to quality assurance and safety. At Primaloc, we pride ourselves on delivering just that.

Primaloc Epoxy: Premium Resin for Exceptional Results

At Primaloc Epoxy, our resin selection is of the highest quality, designed to offer excellent clarity and strength while ensuring safety—all produced entirely in the USA.

Both of our Primaloc Epoxies are ideal for serving tray projects:

• Primaloc Bar & Table Top Epoxy—Our strongest resin, capable of supporting self-leveling 1/8-inch layers and curing crystal clear.
• Primaloc Deep Pour Epoxy—Our deep casting resin, perfect for creating thicker layers of epoxy in your serving tray, supporting up to 2-inch layers.

By choosing epoxy from a trusted, USA-based provider that adheres to safety regulations and prioritizes quality assurance, you can expect not only the durability of a premium brand that withstands everyday use but also the peace of mind that comes from knowing your epoxy has been thoroughly vetted for safe use in both domestic and commercial settings.

A Step-by-Step Guide to Crafting a River Epoxy Serving Tray

Creating an epoxy serving tray with a river vein is an exciting project that beautifully pairs utility with aesthetic expression. Below, you’ll find a detailed guide for crafting your own tray. Before you begin, make sure to gather the following materials:

Materials Needed:

• Wooden tray base or wooden planks for constructing the base
• Two-part epoxy (consider one suited for deep pours if you plan to create a thick river)
• Pigments or dyes (optional, for coloring the epoxy)
• Silicone or sheathing tape (for sealing the mold)
• Mixing containers (available in 5-quart and 1-quart sizes in our store)
• Mixing sticks
• Gloves (nitrile gloves are recommended)
• Heat gun or torch (for removing air bubbles)
• Sandpaper (various grits)

Step-by-Step Guide

Here’s our step-by-step guide for creating your epoxy serving tray. While we use wood as the substrate material (the tray base), there are many other suitable options if you plan to fully coat the substrate.

Step #1: Prepare the Tray Base

Begin by either purchasing or constructing your substrate.

You can start with a wooden tray or create a tray base by joining wooden planks. If you're making your own base, be sure to include a recessed area where the river vein will be placed.

Almost any type of wood is suitable if you plan to coat it completely with epoxy.

Thoroughly sand and clean the wood to ensure a strong bond with the epoxy.

Sanding should eliminate any rough spots, and after sanding, make sure to clean the surface to remove all dust and debris.

For more information on preparing a substrate, click here.

Step #2: Seal the Substrate

The next step is to apply a seal coat of epoxy. Use a thin layer of epoxy to seal the wood, which will prevent air bubbles from forming during the main pour and improve adhesion. Allow the seal coat to cure according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

For more information on epoxy seal coats, check out our dedicated guide.

Step #3: Set Up the Mold

In this (sometimes optional) step, you’ll create a barrier to contain the epoxy around your project until it fully cures.

If your tray doesn’t already have edges, use a non-stick material like silicone or sheathing tape to create a barrier around the perimeter, preventing the epoxy from leaking. If your tray naturally has boundaries, this step may not be necessary.

Step #4: Mix and Color the Epoxy

Prepare a batch of epoxy for the river vein, with the volume needed based on the size of the designated space.

Carefully mix the epoxy resin and hardener following the manufacturer’s instructions, ensuring you adhere to the exact mixing ratio for proper curing.

(Optional) You can add color to your resin batch before pouring.

Simply mix in your chosen pigments or dyes into the epoxy. For a river effect, translucent blues or greens are popular choices, but feel free to select any color that complements your design.

To learn more about coloring your epoxy, click here.

Step #5: Pour the Epoxy

Begin by pouring the epoxy batch into the river vein area of your tray.

Slowly pour the colored epoxy into the designated river section. If the layer is thick, consider pouring in stages to minimize excessive heat buildup.

Next, remove any air bubbles that form on the surface.

After pouring, use a heat gun or torch to carefully eliminate any air bubbles. Hold the tool several inches away from the epoxy, moving it smoothly across the surface without lingering for more than a second to prevent heat damage. Make a complete pass, then check for additional bubbles and repeat as necessary.

For more tips on using heat to remove air bubbles, check out our guide here!

Step #6: Let the Epoxy Cure

Allow the river vein to cure according to the resin’s guidelines. Make sure the environment maintains stable temperature and humidity levels during this time. These are typically a temperature of 75°F and a humidity below 60%.

For additional insights on curing, check out these five tips!

Step #7: Apply Finishing Touches and the Final Coating

Once the epoxy has cured, it’s time to sand and finish the river vein.

If any epoxy has overflowed or the surface isn’t completely smooth, start by sanding it down with coarse grit sandpaper, then gradually move to finer grits for a polished finish.

Next, apply a topcoat of epoxy.

After sanding, you can apply a final layer of epoxy over the entire tray. We recommend using our Primaloc Bar & Table Top Epoxy, which offers the strongest protection.

This topcoat will completely cover the wood substrate and the river vein, enhancing durability and providing a glossy finish.

Allow the final coating to cure completely.

Step #8: Finalize the Assembly of Your Tray

Attach any hardware required for the tray.

If your tray includes handles, install them only after the epoxy has fully cured. Typically, users place two handles on opposite ends for added convenience.

By following these steps, you'll create a stunning epoxy river tray that can hold things and look good doing it, a great conversation starter at social gatherings.

Primaloc Epoxy: Premium Epoxy for Premium Results

With our premium Bar & Table Top Epoxy and our Deep Pour Epoxy, Primaloc gets the job done. Our epoxy resins are premium-grade, with high performance in every category, including:

• Unmatched Strength: A Primaloc finish won't buckle, even under high pressure.
• Long-Lasting Resilience: Primaloc epoxy lasts for many years with minimal care, and can endure high-traffic environments with ease.
• A Crystal-Clear Coating: With its pristine, transparent appearance, looking at a cured Primaloc coating is like peering through a window.

Epoxy resin can be beautiful, strong, and long-lasting—which is why you shouldn't compromise on quality. With Primaloc Epoxy Resin, you get the ultimate finish in durability and visual appeal.

Protect your surfaces by giving them a rock-solid epoxy finish. Choose strong. Choose reliable. Choose Primaloc.