Epoxy resin crafting might appear costly initially, with premium table top epoxy priced around $80 per gallon, and sometimes higher based on the retailer. However, it's important to note that many art and craft projects require only a small quantity of epoxy, making the material quite economical in practice.
In this article, we'll consider how much epoxy is typically needed for different DIY endeavors, explaining the actual costs associated with epoxy resin as a hobby.
Is Resin an Expensive Hobby?
Because epoxy project sizes can vary so greatly, there’s a place to start for almost anyone, regardless of their budget or ambition.
If You’re Not Sure, Start Small
And starting small isn’t inherently less valuable, as small projects can also be complex and interesting in unique ways. These projects can in turn be a cost-effective way to get started with epoxy, allowing you to learn the craft while also discovering whether it’s something you enjoy enough to attempt bigger things or if you prefer to stick with smaller, more manageable projects.
The benefit to smaller projects is that they require less epoxy and can be easily reiterated on, keeping the art engaging in ways that are less feasible for those focused on more expansive projects (such as an epoxy table top).
Just Make What Appeals to You
Once you’ve decided that you're ready to dive into epoxy resin, one of the first steps is figuring out what kind of project you want to create.
There are many different possibilities for DIY resin hobbyists, such as:
- Table Tops (Small, Large, etc.)
- Bar Tops / Countertops
- Trays, Coasters
- Jewelry and Keychains
- Other Types of Art (e.g., Wall Art)
All of these projects can be crafted with our premium Primaloc Bar & Table Top Epoxy. Let's take a closer look at each.
Idea #1: Resin Table Tops
An epoxy resin table top can be a great place to start. Though what many people imagine is larger tables, like those used for dining, this category also encompasses smaller tables, such as coffee tables and end tables, which are more approachable and take less of an initial investment.
Because epoxy is so customizable, and table top surfaces so flat, it's easy to express yourself creatively by giving your table top a theme or distinct appearance through the use of embedments and the application of epoxy pigments.
Idea #2: Epoxy Resin Bar Tops / Countertops
If you're feeling more ambitious, an epoxy resin bar top project is often considered the pinnacle of resin creations. This type of epoxy countertop benefits greatly from the many features of epoxy resin, including its high-strength durability, its waterproof sealing, and its chemical resilience.
Moreover, with a premium-grade bar top epoxy, application is a breeze, making this project feasible for DIY newcomers and experts alike. Add to that an extensive post-project lifespan, and you have something that lasts many years with just a mild amount of effort and planning.
Epoxy resin is not only an excellent option for a bar top, but its also considered to be one of the best sealant options available, period.
Idea #3: Trays and Coasters
Many newcomers elect to start with smaller project, such as resin trays or coasters. This can be an efficient way to familiarize oneself with the resin product of their choice. If mistakes are made, its never a huge loss.
Resin trays and coasters are often made more distinct and aesthetically appealing through the use of colorful epoxy pigments and other additions to the resin finish, such as glitter or alcohol inks.
Epoxy Pigments
There are two types of colorants that epoxy resin is highly receptive to: epoxy powder pigments and epoxy resin dyes.
The powder pigments are mica-based powdered colorants that can be added to a resin batch during mixing to achieve opaque tints that shimmer in the light and often feature multiple tones of a particular color.
The resin dyes, on the other hand, are liquid pigments that disperse evenly as a singular tone throughout the resin batch; this tone is often translucent, allowing light to pass through, though it can be made opaque if a considerable amount if of dye is added.
Despite its particular name, our Primaloc Bar & Table Top Epoxy is exceptional as a resing material in crafting trays and coasters.
Idea #4: Jewelry & Keychains
In similar fashion to trays and coasters, resin creators can also craft their own jewelry or keychains, either as part of the learning experience or as an enjoyable way to create gifts for oneself, friends, or family—or even to sell to interested customers.
As with the other ideas in our list, our Primaloc Epoxy Resin is fantastic for attaining a crystal-clear, rock-solid finish that won't scratch easily, both desirable traits for intricate projects like jewelry.
Idea #5: Other Types of Resin Art
Finally, resin is also used in creating a wide variety of different decorate art pieces, such as wall art (which can be placed against a wall or a hung on one), statues/figurines, and elaborate mosaics.
There are few limitations to epoxy resin for those who have the time, effort, and inclination to go the extra mile.
Another Consideration: Gifting Vs. Selling
Also important to consider is whether you'd like to sell your projects, or gift them to others, or keep them for yourself.
With selling, you have the potential to not only reduce the costs of your works, but also to make more money than you spent. This, in turn, can be a pleasant way to develop your skills and cover the costs of future—maybe even bigger—resin projects, until you reach a point where they're something you can turn into a genuine commercial venture.
As for where to start, it's common to begin with smaler projects, which can be reiterated and sold for lower amounts to garner attention and credibility without overly investing. This includes things like resin jewelry, coasters, and keychains, all projects mentioned earlier in this article.
Primaloc Epoxy: Premium Epoxy for Premium Results
When it comes to epoxy resin, Primaloc Epoxy gets the job done. Our epoxy resin is 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.