Are you thinking about which is the best epoxy resin for flowers? Here are a few things that will help you to determine it. Epoxy resins are used for making many things.
They are in high demand in the manufacturing industry. Hence, they are affordable and also readily available. They can be found in any hardware store.
Resin is a handy item for mechanics, manufacturers, maintenance workers, painters, construction workers, etc. People in arts and science also use these.
Epoxy resin is used for casting many things. It is used for biological as well as artificial substances. It is used for adding gloss to materials. Also, the resin is used for making river tabletops and river tiles.
The resin is used for flooring. It is used for making jewelry as well. The best part about epoxy resin is that it has no harmful effects. It is safe to use. You don’t need many products or instruments to make things using resin.
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Must-Have things when working with Epoxy Resin –
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Table of Contents
Embedding Flowers In Epoxy Resin –
Flowers are some of the most beautiful things in nature. There are about four million flower species in the world. They are of different shapes, colors, and sizes. They also have other fragrances.
Hence flowers are used mainly for decorations. We give flowers to people on birthdays, festivals and special occasions. We get honey from the nectar of flowers. Many flowers also have medicinal benefits.
Thus, flowers are an essential part of our lives. It is crucial to study and preserve flowers. They are also used for research. Casting flowers using epoxy resin helps us preserve these flowers and study them.
They are used in research laboratories, biology labs, and botanical museums and gardens. Flowers can be embedded or cast easily in resin. It is best for casting flowers because its crystal texture makes flowers visible.
You can see the shapes of the petals and leaves very well. You can also use flower casts as decorations. They can be kept in the living room or other areas to make the interiors look good.
5. DR CRAFTY Clear Epoxy Resin For Flower Preserving –
This epoxy resin is an excellent option if time isn’t a problem. I have used it many times and am very impressed by the results’ consistency. I did some dried flowers and petals in cubes, which was amazing.
It’s not the clearest, but you can’t tell with dried flowers. This resin has valuable bonuses, like two measuring cups, two large sticks, and two plastic spreaders, so all the essentials are included. You can mix the resin in one cup and pour it into another.
Good thing that both have spouts, making them easy to pour and use. I love that it has no odor and gives plenty of work time(45 minutes), so you don’t have to rush things. It cures very clearly, but you can add mica or glitter to add color.
The hardener here is a bit runny, so you must be cautious while pouring, or it’ll pour in excess. While mixing, I noticed tons of bubbles, and I “really” mean that. The only solution is to warm the bottles for ten minutes before use.
It solves the bubble problem and makes it easier to use. Once poured, it hardens in 24 hours but takes 72 hours to cure fully. So, patience is needed with this one.
In 72 hours, it cures to a durable, clear, fully UV-resistant surface. Sadly, it didn’t work. A code said I’d get a free mica powder or alcohol ink for the purchase; unfortunately, it doesn’t work.
Pros
- It comes with valuable bonuses like cups, sticks, and spreaders.
- It is easy to mix and use
- You can add mica, glitter, or alcohol inks.
- You get a long work time of 45 minutes.
- It cures to a clear, durable, fully UV-resistant surface
Cons
- It takes 72 hours to cure fully
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4. Art ‘N Glow Clear Casting and Coating Epoxy Resin For Flowers –
This casting resin is excellent for encapsulating flowers. I have used it in the molds to preserve the flowers, and it came out clear and sturdy. You just have to mix it really well and ensure the room temperature stays at least 75 degrees.
You get two bottles, a resin, and a hardener that requires a 1:1 mix. Stir it well and slowly to avoid bubbles, and don’t worry about the time, as you have 40 minutes. Even after mixing, it stays thicker, making spreading and covering the flowers easier.
You will see many air bubbles while pouring but given some time, all of the surface(self-degassing). When it does, simply wave a heat gun for a few seconds, and you’ll get clear mold.
You can add alcohol inks or mica to add some color, just in case. It blends really well. Also, unlike most resins, I didn’t notice any odor or tackiness. After pouring, it takes around 24 hours to harden but 72 hours to fully cure.
So, you can demold it after 24 hours, which is good if you are making a large batch but have fewer molds. After 72 hours, it cures to a hard, crystal clear, UV-resistant surface that embeds your beautiful flowers.
Pros
- It’s easy to use, mix, and spread.
- It’s self-leveling and self-degassing
- You can easily get rid of bubbles with a heat gun.
- It cures clear, but you can add alcohol inks or mica to add color.
- You can demold it after 24 hours.
- It cures to a hard, crystal clear, UV-resistant surface
Cons
- It takes 72 hours to cure fully
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3. Teexpert Crystal Clear Epoxy Resin Kit for DIY Flowers –
I used this to preserve real flowers, and unlike most resins that turn super hot and burn the flower, this one turned out great. It mixes easily, has no smell, is non-toxic, and cures hard in just 24 hours, although you can demold in 12 hours.
I love other things too, like it came with useful bonuses, has different label colors, and is super affordable, making it perfect for everyone, especially beginners. Apart from two eight fl. oz bottles, you get two pairs of gloves, two mixing cups, and four mixing sticks.
Everything necessary is included, and you don’t need to spend extra; however, I prefer using my own gloves and cups as it heats up much faster when mixing in the plastic cups than my silicone cups.
And I have nitrile gloves, so I don’t need to use latex gloves(included). However, for beginners, it’s fantastic. I literally didn’t notice any smell while working, which is a big plus; you may see a bit while mixing, but nothing overpowering.
It gets many microbubbles while mixing, but due to the thin viscosity, almost all of them disappear while curing; however, I’ll suggest using a heat gun. Also, mix for 3-4 minutes, or your projects can turn tacky.
I love this, and you’ll love it too, but you have a 100% money-back guarantee, so there is nothing to lose even if you don’t.
Pros
- It mixes easily, has no smell, and is non-toxic.
- It cures hard in just 24 hours, but you can demold in 12 hours
- Very affordable and also comes with bonuses
- Perfect for beginners and professionals
- It doesn’t have any odor and is pretty thin to use
- 100% money-back guarantee
Cons
- Sometimes, it can take 48 hours to cure
2. CraftSource Epoxy Resin Crystal Clear Kit –
This resin competes with Unicorn Art(#1 here), but the fact that you can’t pour more than 1/4 inch at a time made it lose the throne. If you want to cure thick, let the resin cure for 4-6 hours, sand and wipe the surface and then pour the next layer.
If you are fine with waiting, this is amazing. With two eight oz. bottles(a resin and a hardener), you also get two measuring cups and two mixing sticks, making it quite value-for-money. And of course, how can I forget the detailed instruction book?
Read through all the instructions carefully, and you won’t go wrong. Your cure will be clear and sturdy, with no tackiness, yellowness, mess, or nothing. Since this product is non-toxic(BPA and VOC-free) and has no odor, it’s easy to work with it.
You have around 25-30 minute of working time, perfect for flower projects. You can add mica powder, alcohol dyes, glow pigment, and even paint to add some color. Just make sure to mix it well for 4-5 minutes and mix it slowly.
Although it doesn’t get many bubbles, you must keep a heat gun or hairdryer nearby, just in case. Once poured, it takes around 48 hours to fully cure a hard, crystal clear, and bubble-free surface.
Pros
- It comes with valuable bonuses and a detailed instruction book
- It cures clear and sturdy with no yellowness or mess
- This resin is non-toxic, BPA and VOC-free
- It has no odor and is easy to work with
- You get 25-30 minutes of work time
- You can add mica, alcohol dyes, etc. to add some color
Cons
- You can’t pour more than 1/4 inch at a time, and it takes 48 hours to cure fully
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1. Unicorn Art Epoxy Resin Kit for Art and Jewelry Making –
When it comes to flowers, this resin is my favorite. It is non-toxic, has no odor, is self-leveling, is very high quality, and is easy to use, mix and spread. It rarely gets any bubbles and is among the clearest resins I have ever seen. When Unicone Art said, “Crystal Clear,” they really meant it.
You get two 16 oz. Bottles, a resin, and a hardener need 1:1 mixing. It mixes very easily since it has less viscosity and actually smells nothing. You have to mix it for 3-4 minutes, and it’s ready to use. I noticed very few bubbles, and almost all dissipated on their own.
But I like to bathe both bottles in hot water for 5-10 minutes. It will be much easier to mix when heated, the bubbles will rise quicker for clearer pores, and it is easier to get accurate measurements. I rarely use a heat gun, but I suggest keeping one close.
I hit it with a heat gun just in case I need to, so you might also need it. Since it’s self-leveling, it covers the flower well and ensures it doesn’t float to the top. I use this resin to make dice boxes with flower inclusions; the results are crystal clear and beautiful!
You get around 30 minutes of work time, which cures hard in 24 hours. I love it so much and strongly recommend it; however, wear gloves as it can get very sticky. So far, my cures are clear, and I see no yellowing.
Pros
- It’s non-toxic, has high quality, and is easy to use
- Easy to mix, and you can add mica powder too
- It doesn’t have any smell and gets very few bubbles
- It’s self-leveling and self-degassing
- It’s among the clearest resin I have ever used.
- You get plenty of work time, and it cures hard in 24 hours
Cons
- Nothing
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Process For Making Flower Coasters Using Epoxy Resin –
Casting flowers in epoxy resin is effortless. Follow these steps to make some pretty flower coasters.
1. Keep your apparatus ready. First, you will need to select the flowers you want to cast. They can be of any type, shape, and color. You just need to make sure that they fit inside your coaster molds.
2. You will also need epoxy resin, hardener, ice cream sticks or stirrers, silicone molds, a heat gun or pocket lighter, etc. You won’t need any extra decorations because flower coasters are best kept transparent as we need to see them clearly. Adding colors or glitter to it will make it less visible.
3. Take epoxy resin and hardener depending on how many coasters you want to make and how many flowers you embed. Mostly one cup of resin and one cup of hardener will make around four to five coasters.
4. Wear your protective gear, such as safety goggles, shoes, a lab coat, gloves, and a breathing mask, to be safe from any side effects.
5. Now, take the epoxy resin into a bowl. Mix the hardener in it. The consistency should be thick but not very thick. It should be like a gel.
6. Put your flowers in silicone molds. The molds should be circular and deep enough to hold the flower and two or three leaves.
7. Next, pour your resin into the molds. It should be poured evenly and cover the flowers well. Make sure you don’t fill the molds completely, as you must pour the resin from the other side once this side is done.
8. Let it cure for at least one to two days. If any bubbles are formed, remove them using a lighter or heat gun. Gently hold the lighter over the molds till the bubbles are gone.
9. Make sure the room where you have kept the molds is open and ventilated. Also, ensure that it is out of reach of kids or any pets, as they can damage your molds and harm themselves.
10. After two days, check if your resin has cured. It should become thick and hard like glass. If not, let it sit for another day.
11. Once completely cured, remove your coasters from the molds. Now, turn them over and place them again into the molds.
12. Again, remove the bubbles using a heat gun.
13. Pour epoxy resin again into the molds from this side. This way, you will have thick coasters from both sides, lasting long without damage.
14. Keep it for curing for two more days. After this, remove your coasters from the molds. Your flower coasters are ready.
15. You can now keep the coasters for decoration, gift them, or sell them. You can also label the coasters with the flowers’ names if you use them for scientific research.
How To Make Resin Aesthetically Pleasant?
Resin can be made aesthetically pleasant by using many methods. You can add any decorations or colors to the resin without worrying about any chemical reactions. They are non-reactive with most substances.
You can add food colors, so you don’t need to buy fancy or expensive colors. You can add glitter as well. It gives resin a very sparkly texture. It is popular for making river tabletops.
Green or blue tabletops with golden glitter look very nice. Colored glitter is available in any stationary shop. You can add ribbons to give the resin an elegant look. Satin ribbons are preferred.
You can also add crape paper. It has a unique texture. The paper is available in many colors, so your items will be colorful. Other little decorations are also available in stationaries.
You can make miniature things like tiny bottles and cups. Small figurines and statues also look great. You can make statues of people, tiny pots, animals, birds, etc.
You can buy molds of these shapes and pour the resin into these molds. You can make a variety of glass statues this way. You can add a pinch of color so these statues have a faint and pleasant tint.
These look very cute as home decorations. You can even give them to children for play. To your resin molds, you can add beads, feathers, pearls, etc. You can make attractive showpieces by casting small figurines in epoxy resin.
You can add idols for making holy souvenirs. You can also add letters and words to them. Resins have a clear texture, so the decorations are visible.
Flowers, leaves, and even insects can be added to the resin. This way, you can combine various things to make your molds look attractive.
Things To Consider –
1. Quality –
The quality of the resin should be good. Before buying it, you need to check the packaging date, price, brand, etc. Also, check the reviews of the resin before buying it. Clear resin is needed to cast flowers or other materials.
So, make sure you don’t add any decorations. There should be no air bubbles as they will be seen easily in the transparent coasters. Remove all air bubbles using a heat gun or a pocket lighter.
You can decide if the quality of the resin is good if the resin heats up nicely. Also, if the curing takes less time and the items become hard and strong, the product is good.
2. Curing Process –
You should remember that it takes time to make epoxy resin items. This is because resin needs time to cure. The curing process lets the resin harden for about two to three days.
The resin changes from a liquid to a solid state. If you don’t allow the resin to dry thoroughly, it will get damaged or broken. You should keep an eye on the resin while it is curing.
Keep it away from children. Ensure that the molds are not moved until the resin has been set. Also, ensure that no dust particles blow toward the molds, as they can stick to the resin and damage them.
3. Safety –
Safety precautions are essential while using epoxy resin. You should note that resin becomes hot once the hardener is added. It starts to cure.
In this process, the resin and the container it is kept can become very hot, so ensure you don’t touch it once it starts heating. You will be able to see some fumes while this happens.
These fumes are not suitable for our health. Inhaling them frequently can be harmful. So, you should wear a face mask while using resin. You should keep the resin in a well-ventilated room so that the toxic fumes are not trapped.
Wear safety goggles to protect your eyes from any fumes or accidental splashes of resin. The eyes are very delicate organs and should be protected at all times.
Also, wear hand gloves because we need to use our hands for pouring, mixing, and handling resin. You should wear a lab coat to protect your clothes from any stains.
Wear shoes in case resin falls on your legs. You can also cover your floor and work table with plastic or newspaper so that if resin falls on the floor, it is safe from stains and damage.
Who Should Buy It?
Anyone can buy epoxy resin. It is helpful in many fields. Artisans can buy it to make their products. You can buy this for making decorations for your home. Interior designers can use this for making lavish showpieces for homes.
It can be used to make windchimes. Jewelry makers can buy this for making different types of jewelry like earrings, anklets, bangles, etc. Construction workers can use it for making tabletops or tiles.
Resin can be used to give a crystalline effect to any product. Biologists can also use biologists to study various species of flowers, insects, birds, etc., by casting feathers and flowers.
Resin coasters can also preserve any specimens in museums or laboratories. You can preserve your memories and special moments by casting photographs and handwritten letters in resin casts.
FAQs –
Can You Embed Flowers In Epoxy Resin?
Yes, you can embed flowers and many real and artificial things in epoxy resin. You can add your favorite objects in resin. You can also add any colors or glitter you want.
How To Avoid Bubbles While Casting Things In Epoxy Resin?
Using a heat gun or a simple lighter, you can avoid bubbles in resin items by heating the areas where bubbles have formed. Avoid using a candle because the resin will be damaged if the wax falls on it.
You should check the resin from time to time while curing to see if there are any bubbles. If you see them, heat the resin again and remove them.
How To Avoid Harmful Fumes While Using Epoxy Resin?
To avoid harmful fumes while using epoxy resin, wear a face mask. Cover your mouth and nose with it. Also, keep the resin molds in a ventilated room. Make sure the room has windows. Keep the ceiling fan switched on while the resin is curing.
Conclusion –
We can conclude that resin is a beneficial substance. It is excellent for studying different species of flora and fauna. You can preserve not just flowers but also insects and birds. You can cast the feathers of different types of birds.
You can also embed animal hair to classify them. You can cast dead honey bees, butterflies, etc. Everyone uses resin because it is affordable. The process of making flower coasters is popular. It is an easy process that requires about twenty minutes.
The curing part can take up to four days, but you don’t have to do anything during this time. You need to wait for it to form well. Patience is key while making resin coasters.
The molds used for resin items should be made of silicone because silicone can tolerate high heat. Take care of yourself while making resin items. Once the resin is cured, it is very lightweight, and thus it is ideal for making all kinds of products.