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Here are the best resins for making DIY tumblers. When it comes to making your own tumblers, there are a few things you'll need to consider before choosing the right resin.
Epoxy resin brands have come a long way over the years and it's easy to purchase.
First, what kind of look are you going for? If you want a clear, glossy finish, then epoxy resin is the way to go. We will explain some of the best epoxy resins for tumblers and what to look for when you are deciding on the best resin to use.
What is the best epoxy resin for glitter tumblers?
When finding which epoxy resin is best for making tumblers, consider the following:
The epoxy resin that is best for making tumblers check off many of these boxes above and we will share why they made our list for DIY tumblers.
Always refer to the Safety Data Sheet for any resin you are planning on using, and do your own research when a resin says it meets FDA regulations or states it is food safe.
It is important to check this out for yourself when using epoxy resin for anything that will come into contact with food or skin.
Envirotex Lite is a high quality epoxy resin you can use for tumblers, whose claim to fame is that it is a pour-on, high gloss finish. It cures to a thick, glossy coating in about 8 hours at 70F, and reaches full cure in about 48 hours.
Many tumbler artists say that they started making their tumblers using Envirotex Lite as it is easy to work with and has a very low odor, which is confirmed in Envirotex's USA Safety Data Sheet, where it says "odor: minimal. Not Distinct".
On the back of the packaging, Envirotex Lite Resin says that it "Complies with FDA 21 CFR 175.300 for coatings intended for indirect and direct repeated food contact use when accurately measured, thoroughly mixed, and fully cured". Please make sure you read and confirm this FDA Compliancy for yourself before using it.
One complaint by a few resin artists is that the Envirotex Lite can yellow with UV light exposure or over time. Yet in saying that, they still love working with this brand on their tumblers and still recommend it.
Just a note here, all resin will yellow over time. The degree of yellowing and how soon it yellows is what you want to know about. You can add glitter for resin or mica powder to make the yellow not so distinctive.
Our summary of Envirotex Lite Resin for tumblers:
This resin has really great reviews, making it a great choice for seasoned tumblers or first-time tumbler makers. The resin pours slightly thicker than other resins out there, and this results in a hard, glass-like finish on your tumbler.
This epoxy resin is compatible with many pigments and colorants for resin and has enhanced color stability. You can also use this resin for jewelry making and for geode resin art.
This is also a self-leveling resin which is important for tumblers. While your cup is turning, you want your surface to be completely level once cured. If the resin you use is self-leveling then you don't have to worry about this.
Make sure you are working with this resin at 75-80F throughout the entire process to have perfect results.
Counter Culture DIY is another popular choice by tumbler artists. This is an epoxy resin that produces a beautiful crystal-clear, glass-like finish. This resin is a medium viscosity, VOC-free and is also UV-resistant, which we love!
Something else to note, is that many tumbler artists say this particular brand has "no odor" or "low odor" if any.
A couple of things to know if you are planning on using Counter Culture for your craft projects. You have a 25-40 minute working time before the consistency changes and it begins to cure. They recommend mixing NO LESS than 2 oz. of epoxy resin together to avoid sticky, soft or uncured resin finishes.
It should be noted that Counter Culture DIY Artist resin is an epoxy resin that is FDA-compliant. According to their website, they comply with FDA 21 CFR 175.300.
Counter Culture is a very popular brand for many tumbler artists out there who swear by it, many switching from their current brand to Counter Culture with great results.
There are always comparisons between Counter Culture DIY, Art Resin, and the Faux Rizzle resin out there it seems, and the debate is strong. That would come down to a matter of preference though.
Summary of Counter Culture DIY:
They also just updated their packaging and formula! The new formula has an ever so light blue tint, which is awesome for counteracting any possible yellowing and also works well with any colorants, even white.
We have worked with this company before to make geode resin art. Check out the video on the DIY Craft Club YouTube channel. This beutiful piece was made with a form and gold rocks.
Craft Resin is another epoxy resin brand that is heard quite often being chatted about in the tumbler world. This glass-clear resin is VOC-free and is easy to apply.
This is a brand that is used in many different applications. It is known for its strength and durability, as well as its clear, bubble-free finish. Craft Resin is also widely used in the crafting community for creating beautiful and unique pieces like geode resin art.
One of the most popular things to make with this epoxy resin is making tumblers. These tumblers end up being highly durable and have a crystal clear finish that is perfect for showing off your creative designs.
When made with quality resin, the tumblers are heat resistant and can last many years. This would definitely make a great gift idea for a resin artist.
There are a lot of resin options out there, so it can be tough to decide which one to use for your projects. If you're looking for the best resin for making DIY tumblers, you'll want to look for a resin that is easy to work with and gives a high-quality finish.
ProMarine casting resin can be used for not only countertops, but for other projects like tumblers, coasters and DIY jewelry making.
ProMarine resin is a great option because it cures quickly, is durable and gives a glossy finish.
Summary of Promarine Epoxy:
Should You Wear A Respirator Mask When Working With Resin?
You may also want to read more about whether or not you should wear a respirator mask when working with resin.
Check out the article, The Proper Respirator Mask For Working With Resin, where we talk about why you should consider wearing a respirator. Also, nitrile gloves are a must have tool for resin crafts also.
1. Choose the right resin
There are many different types of epoxy resins on the market for epoxy tumblers, so it's important to choose one that is specifically designed for use with glitter tumblers. Any of the ones above will make gorgeous tumblers.
2. Weigh or measure the resin properly
Read the instructions before you start. Some resins are mixed 1:1 while others need to be weighed. Measure the resin in a silicone epoxy cup.
Using silicone is one of the most easy ways to clean resin out of your cups.
3. Pick the perfect glitter
Some loose glitters are more fine and others are chunkier, so it's important to choose one that will give you the look you want. If you want a smooth finish, go with a small glitter or switch to a fine mica powder.
If you're into resin crafts, then you know that not all glitter is created equal. It's important to choose the right glitter for your project, otherwise you'll end up with a muddy mess.
You'll also want to make sure that the glitter for resin is made of high-quality materials so that it doesn't fade or bleed over time.
Ultimately, the best way to choose the right glitter for your project is to experiment and see what works best for you for your art projects.
With a little trial and error, you'll be well on your way to creating beautiful resin crafts.
4. Add in some color to your epoxy
If you want your tumblers to really stand out, consider adding in some colorants or pigments to your resin mix. You can color resin with alcohol inks, liquid pigments or mica powders.
Dried flowers for resin are also very popular.
5. Mix it up
Once you've chosen your resin and glitter, it's time to mix them together! Be sure to mix thoroughly with a silicone mixing tool or popsicle stick in order to get an evenly distributed glitter tumbler.
You can also mix up some acrylic glitter paint in with the resin for extra color.
6. Pour it on
Once your mixture is ready, it's time to pour it onto your tumbler with a cup turning machine. Be sure to pour slowly and evenly in order to avoid any air bubbles or resin drips.
The cup turner should be going at a slow speed yet quick enough so that there is no dripping or pooling. The tumbler should be perfectly horizontal.
7. Wait for the epoxy to set
Now the waiting game begins! It will take several hours for your epoxy tumbler to set, so be patient. Cured resin will be super hard with no sticky residue.
Curing resin is the process of hardening and setting it, and it's essential to ensuring the durability and quality of your final product. Improperly cured resin will be sticky and soft, making it more likely to break or chip. So do make sure that the resin is cured completely.
8. Examine your tumbler
Once your epoxy tumbler has set, it's time to examine your piece. A quality resin cures crystal clear with no sticky layers. The entire surface should be smooth and hard.
One common reason for failed resin is using a lower quality resin. When it comes to resin crafts, you really do get what you pay for in terms of quality.
If you're using a lower quality resin, it's more likely to have impurities that can prevent it from setting properly.
For tumblers, stick to high-quality resins specifically designed for resin crafts like tumblers to avoid problems. The best resins should give you a durable finish and cure completely.
Another common issue is not measuring your ingredients correctly. Resin is a pretty sensitive material, so it's important to measure everything out accurately before mixing. For example, if you don't mix the correct ratio of resin to hardener, your resin will either never set or it will take much longer than usual to set.
Not measuring epoxy correctly can also cause your resin to be sticky or tacky even after it sets.
Also, if you need to do some touch ups, you can do this with a paint marker or paint pen. Just make sure another layer of resin is poured to seal it in.
9. Sand away any rough edges
If you notice any rough edges on your tumblers, simply sand them down until they're smooth.
10. Add a final coating
For extra protection and shine, consider adding a final coat of resin to your tumblers. Simply pour it on and let it set!
11. Enjoy your new epoxy tumbler
Now that your tumbler is complete, it's time to enjoy it! Use it for everyday drinks or save your creations for special occasions. Whatever you do, just enjoy!
What kinds of tumblers can be made into epoxy tumblers?
There are a few different types of tumblers that can be made into epoxy resin tumblers. The most popular type is the double walled stainless steel tumbler.
These are great because they keep your drinks hot or cold for a long time and they look really sleek.
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Have fun creating your gorgeous epoxy resin glitter tumblers, and be sure to Pin any photo on this page or bookmark us to come back and share your thoughts and tumblers you created.
I’ve been using KS Resin for a 2yrs and I love it! I want to try Liquidity Split
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DIY Craft Club Admin
March 07, 2021
Hi Heidi,
Awesome!! Glad you are having success with it! :)
Liquidity Split looks like it is a fast-setting UV resin, also produced by KS Resin. Are you wanting you try that with tumblers?