What you need
- 16 oz or 32 oz table top epoxy kit
- Silicone coaster molds or wooden blanks
- Mica powder, alcohol ink or dried flowers
- Mixing cups, sticks and a heat gun
Step 1: prepare the mold
Clean the mold and check it sits level. A few drops of mold release help with clear silicone molds, though most coaster molds release cleanly on their own.
Step 2: mix a small batch
Most table top kits are 1:1. Mix 2 to 4 fluid ounces per coaster set, stirring slowly for three minutes and scraping the cup walls. A 16 oz kit pours roughly six to eight coasters at 1/4 inch thick.
Step 3: add colour
Split the mixed resin into cups and add mica powder or alcohol ink. Stir gently to avoid bubbles, and keep one cup clear if you want a domed top layer.
Step 4: pour and pop bubbles
Pour slowly into the mold, filling to just below the rim. Pass a heat gun 6 to 8 inches above the surface to pop bubbles, then let the resin level for five minutes.
Step 5: cure and demould
Cure 24 hours at room temperature, then demould. Sand the edges with 400, then 800 grit, and polish with a plastic polish for a glassy rim.
Common problems
Bubbles on the surface
Usually from mixing too fast. Heat-gun the surface again after five minutes.
Coasters still tacky after a day
Check the ratio and the room temperature; below 70F the cure slows a lot.
Colours muddy
Too much pigment. Start with a pinch of mica and add more if needed.
Related reading
Browse molds and tools, or read how much epoxy you need.
