Learn how to make DIY epoxy resin coasters using two techniques: a mold and a wood and resin art coaster. If you haven’t yet, first learn how to make resin earrings too! This post contains affiliate links.

Resin coasters are such an absolutely amazing craft for beginners and pros alike. They are a favorite because they present a perfectly sized blank palette with endless opportunities for art and creativity.

You can add anything to clear resin, play with colors, practice larger ideas with less material. Because of the small size, you’re not using endless materials to create your piece. So if you don’t love it, you’ve wasted less.

Table of contents:

Two cool techniques for how to make resin coasters
Molded Coaster with Gemstones or Citrus Slices
Wood and Resin Coasters
How to make resin coasters step by step
Supplies Needed
How to make resin coasters using a mold
How to make wood and resin coasters

Two cool techniques for how to make resin coasters

Today I’m sharing two ways to make resin coasters. These are two totally unique processes that open you up to endless possibilities.

There is a lot of overlap in what you can do with each, but in a nutshell:

Using a mold: Made by pouring resin into a silicone mold, you can really work with this technique, and have a good measure of control over the outcome. I like this for geode coasters, incorporating themes such as citrus slices, glitter, gemstones, and more.
Wood and resin: Pouring resin over a wooden base is more fluid and is fabulous for abstract results. I like it for marbled coasters but people like to make beach coasters this way too.

Molded Coaster with Gemstones or Citrus Slices

Resin-only coasters use more resin (unless you’re using a lot of fillers.) They showcase other times better.

I made this in two ways.

First of all, I started by making my own mold using a wood slice. Learn how to make a mold for epoxy resin casting.

Since the wood slice is a non-smooth surface, this makes for a matte coaster.

You can use a commercial resin mold for a glossy one. I also flipped things over to the top surface for a clear, glossy finish on the citrus slice coaster.

And on that note, I used two different types of fill-ins for these coasters just to show you how diverse they can be!

On one, I used clear resin with citrus slices (you can dry your own Etrog/citron or other citrus fruit, or purchase them commercially.) I filled in with dried baby’s breath.

On the other, I used undrilled gemstone chips. I dyed the top layer using opaque white resin dye. I love this one and plan to make a set.

For the gold edges I tried three techniques as well

Coloring on the mold (=fail!)
Painting with acrylics
Drawing it with paint markers.

The acrylic paint won, but paint markers are fab too.

Wood and Resin Coasters

Wood and resin coasters are made using small-scale pours and blowing them out. I did a big oops. I forgot to tape the edges. It was still salvageable but… PLEASE tape your edges!

My first color was too transparent and almost totally drained off. Eventually, I started dripping resin dye directly on. I added some glitter – just enough to lend an extra shimmer to the non-metallic colors.

A word of caution: if you drip too much dye, it’ll try tacky. Go easy on it, so that most of it mixes in with the resin and hardens properly.

How to make resin coasters step by step

Ready for the step by step tutorial for how to make resin coasters? Scroll through for images. If you want to print the instructions, scroll to the end of the post, where you’ll find a “recipe card” without images for you to print.

Supplies Needed

2 part epoxy resin
Silicone or disposable measuring and mixing cups
Popsicle stick for stirring
Heat gun (or other source of heat to pop air bubbles)
Mix ins of choice, such as:
Optional: resin dye
Optional: gold acrylic paint + brush, or gold paint marker (I used Posca)
Recommended: silicone work mat
For wood and resin coasters:
- Raw wood coaster
- Painter’s tape
For mold coaster: silicone coaster mold (I recommend having enough for a full set so that you can work them together). You can buy this or DIY this.

Safety:

How to make resin coasters using a mold

1. First, mix together your two resin parts according to package instructions.

2. Pour a thin layer into your mold. (Don’t forget the gloves like I did!)

3. Use heat to pop the air bubbles. I like to use a classic heat gun – the type that is often used for embossing.

4. Add your mix-ins. For one, I added undrilled gemstones on half of it.

For the other, I added citrus slices and colored baby’s breath.

5. Add your top layer and pop air bubbles. For the gem one, I mixed in opaque white dye for the top coat. For the citrus slice coaster, I left it clear.

Let it cure fully (according to package instructions) and then pop it out of the mold. Paint or color the border if you’d like.

How to make wood and resin coasters

1. Tape your edges using painter’s tape! I forgot to do this step. It was salvageable but much less polished.

2. Mix up your lightest pouring shade. Since I gradually went darker and darker with the same color, I just started with the lightest and added more dye as I went along. Add some glitter if you’d like.

3. Pour a little resin in a straight line.

4. Spread it and pop air bubbles using a heat gun.

5. Add some more dye. Pour more resin and heat/spread/pop air bubbles.

6. Go all in with your black.

Keep pouring and spreading. If you need to, wipe up excess. It’ll dry and pop right off your silicone work mat once it’s cured.

7. To add sharp contrast shades, drip a very small amount of resin dye. You can use a popsicle stick to move it along and your heat gun to make it flow and blend.

I did it with both white and gold.

8. Before it cures, move it to another part of the mat so that pooled resin doesn’t remain attached to the coaster.

When it’s done, if you’d like, you can paint your edges gold! I recommend sealing the wood too.

I hope you loved learning how to make resin coasters! What’s your favorite technique? Comment below!

DIY Epoxy Resin Coasters

Materials

Mix ins of choice, such as:

For wood and resin coasters:

Tools

Safety:

Instructions

How to make resin coasters using a mold:

1. First, mix together your two resin parts according to package instructions.

2. Pour a thin layer into your mold. (Don't forget the gloves like I did!)

3. Use heat to pop the air bubbles. I like to use a classic heat gun - the type that is often used for embossing.

4. Add your mix-ins. For one, I added undrilled gemstones on half of it.

For the other, I added citrus slices and colored baby's breath.

5. Add your top layer and pop air bubbles. For the gem one, I mixed in opaque white dye for the top coat. For the citrus slice coaster, I left it clear.

Let it cure fully (according to package instructions) and then pop it out of the mold. Paint or color the border if you'd like.

How to make wood and resin coasters:

1. Tape your edges using painter's tape! I forgot to do this step. It was salvageable but much less polished.