Essential Resin Tools for Beginners: What You Really Need

Introduction

When you're starting resin crafting, it can be tempting to buy lots of tools straight away. In reality, you only need a small number of essential supplies to begin creating beautiful resin pieces.

Having the right tools will make mixing easier, help prevent common mistakes, and improve the quality of your finished projects.

In this guide, we'll cover the basic tools every resin beginner should have when starting their resin journey.

Mixing Cups and Stir Sticks

One of the most important parts of working with resin is accurate measuring and mixing.

Epoxy resin is made from two parts — resin and hardener — which must be combined in the correct ratio. Using proper measuring cups helps ensure the resin cures correctly.

Basic mixing tools include:

• graduated mixing cups

• silicone measuring cups

• wooden stir sticks

Mix slowly and thoroughly to avoid introducing excess air bubbles.

Silicone Moulds

Silicone moulds allow you to shape resin into different objects and are one of the most fun parts of resin crafting.

They are flexible, reusable and make it easy to remove cured pieces.

Popular beginner moulds include:

• coaster moulds

• trinket trays

• jewellery moulds

• small decorative moulds

Starting with simple mould shapes helps you learn how resin behaves before trying more complex designs.

Heat Gun or Bubble Removal Tool

When resin is mixed and poured, tiny air bubbles can appear on the surface.

Many resin artists use a mini heat gun or craft torch to gently remove these bubbles before the resin cures.

A quick pass of heat helps release surface bubbles and creates a smoother, more professional finish.

Pigments and Colourants

Pigments allow you to add colour, shimmer and creative effects to your resin pieces.

Common resin pigments include:

• mica powders

• pigment pastes

• alcohol inks

• liquid dyes

• glitter

Each pigment type produces a slightly different effect, from translucent colour to bold opaque designs.

(We’ll explore these in more detail in a separate guide on resin colour pigments.)

Protective Equipment

Safety is an important part of working with resin.

Basic protective equipment includes:

• nitrile gloves

• a protective work mat

• good ventilation in your workspace

These simple precautions help protect your skin and keep your workspace clean.

A Level Work Surface

Because resin is a liquid, it naturally flows to the lowest point while curing.

Working on a level surface is essential to prevent resin pieces from curing unevenly or pooling on one side.

Many resin artists use a spirit level or adjustable table to ensure their workspace is flat.

Recommended Resin Tools and Supplies

If you're setting up your resin workspace, I've put together a full list of the tools, moulds and materials I personally use in my resin workshops and studio.

You can explore them here:

👉 My Recommended Resin Supplies & Starter Kits
https://www.krystalsresinkitchen.com/pages/my-recommended-resin-supplies-starter-kits

This guide includes beginner kits, tools, pigments and moulds that can help you get started with confidence.

Final Thoughts

Starting resin crafting doesn't require a huge collection of equipment. With a few essential tools and a simple mould, you can begin experimenting with colours, designs and techniques.

As your confidence grows, you can gradually expand your toolkit and explore more advanced resin projects.

Read Next

If you're new to resin crafting, these guides will help you get started:

• Resin Art for Beginners: Everything You Need to Start
• What Is Epoxy Resin? A Beginner’s Guide
• Common Epoxy Resin Problems (And How to Fix Them) (coming soon)

Until the next pour! 💖

Krystal x
Founder | Krystals Resin Kitchen