Glossary of Resin Terms
About This Glossary
Resin art has its own vocabulary. Whether you are new to the craft or just want to understand what you are reading in a guide, this glossary defines the terms used most often in the Trayz N Beyond studio and across the resin art community. Terms are organized alphabetically.
A
Additive — Any material mixed into resin to change its appearance or properties. Common additives include glitter, foil flakes, glow pigment, and alcohol ink.
Alcohol Ink — A highly pigmented, fast-drying ink suspended in an alcohol base. Used in resin art to create fluid, translucent color effects. See the Alcohol Ink Guide.
Ambient Temperature — The temperature of the surrounding environment. Epoxy resin is highly sensitive to ambient temperature during mixing and curing. Most resins require a minimum of 70 to 75 degrees F for proper curing.
B
Bloom — A fluid, circular pattern created when alcohol ink spreads through resin. Blooms are encouraged by heat gun airflow and the natural evaporation of the alcohol carrier.
Bubble — Air trapped in resin during mixing or pouring. Surface bubbles can be removed with a torch or heat gun. Deep bubbles that form during mixing cannot be removed after the pour.
C
Catalyst — Another term for hardener. The component that triggers the chemical curing reaction in a two-part epoxy system.
Cell — A circular or organic pattern that forms in resin pours, often created by differences in density between colors or by the use of silicone oil. Common in fluid art and lacing techniques.
Colorant — Any pigment, dye, ink, or powder used to add color to resin. Common colorants include mica powder, alcohol ink, and resin dye.
Cure — The chemical process by which liquid epoxy resin transforms into a solid through the reaction between resin and hardener. Cure has two stages: demold cure and full cure.
Cure Time — The total time required for resin to reach full hardness. Most epoxy resins reach demold stage in 24 to 48 hours and full cure in 72 hours to 7 days.
D
Demold — The process of removing a cured resin piece from its mold. Demolding too early can result in a soft or deformed piece.
Demold Time — The minimum time required before a piece can safely be removed from the mold. Shorter than full cure time.
Dirty Pour — A technique where multiple colors are loaded into a single cup and poured together, allowing the colors to flow and separate naturally.
Duochrome — A mica pigment that shifts between two distinct colors depending on the viewing angle and light source.
E
Epoxy Resin — A two-part thermosetting polymer system consisting of a resin (Part A) and a hardener (Part B). When combined in the correct ratio and mixed thoroughly, the two components react to produce a hard, durable solid.
Exothermic Reaction — The heat-generating chemical reaction that occurs when epoxy resin and hardener are combined. In thick pours or large volumes, this heat can build to dangerous levels.
F
Fish Eye — A surface defect characterized by small craters where resin has pulled away from the surface. Usually caused by silicone contamination, dust, or oils.
Flood Coat — A thin layer of resin poured over a cured surface to level it, fill imperfections, or add a fresh gloss layer.
Foil Flakes — Thin fragments of metallic foil added to resin for a luxurious gold leaf effect. See the Foil Flakes Guide.
Full Cure — The point at which epoxy resin has reached maximum hardness and chemical resistance. Typically 72 hours to 7 days.
G
Gel Stage — The intermediate curing stage when resin has thickened to a gel-like consistency. No longer pourable but not yet fully hard. The ideal window for adding a second layer.
Geode Pour — A resin technique that mimics the appearance of a natural geode using layered colors, crystal-like formations, and metallic accents.
Glitter — A decorative additive used to add sparkle. Polyester glitter is the recommended type for resin. See the Glitter Guide.
Glow Pigment — A photoluminescent powder that absorbs light and re-emits it as a visible glow in dark conditions. See the Glow in the Dark Pigment Guide.
Graduated Cup — A mixing cup with measurement markings that allow resin and hardener to be measured by volume without a scale.
H
Hardener — Part B of a two-part epoxy system. The curing agent that triggers the chemical reaction when combined with resin in the correct ratio.
Heat Gun — An electric tool that blows hot air used to pop surface bubbles, move resin, and manipulate alcohol ink patterns.
Holographic Glitter — Glitter coated with a film that diffracts light into a rainbow spectrum, creating a prismatic multi-color sparkle.
Humidity — The amount of moisture in the air. High humidity above 50 percent can cause cloudiness and adhesion issues in epoxy resin.
I
Iridescent — A surface quality that shifts between two or more colors depending on the viewing angle and light source.
L
Layered Pour — A technique where multiple pours are stacked on top of each other, each allowed to reach gel stage before the next is added.
Lacing — A fluid art technique that creates fine, web-like patterns in resin, often achieved with silicone oil or a heat gun.
M
Mica Powder — A finely milled mineral pigment used as the primary colorant in resin art. Produces a metallic or pearlescent shimmer. See the Mica Powder Guide.
Mold — The vessel into which liquid resin is poured to create a specific shape. Silicone molds are the standard for resin art.
Mold Release — A spray applied to a mold surface to prevent resin from adhering. Not required for high-quality silicone molds.
O
Opacity — The degree to which a colorant blocks light. High mica concentrations produce an opaque finish; low concentrations produce a translucent finish.
Organic Vapor Cartridge — A replaceable filter used in a half-face respirator to filter volatile organic compounds from uncured epoxy resin.
P
Part A — The resin component of a two-part epoxy system.
Part B — The hardener component of a two-part epoxy system.
Photoluminescent — The property of absorbing light energy and re-emitting it as visible light in dark conditions. The mechanism behind glow pigments.
Pigment — A coloring substance added to resin, including mica powders, glow powders, and resin-specific dyes.
Pot Life — The working time available after mixing resin and hardener before the mixture becomes too thick to pour. Varies by brand and temperature.
PPE — Personal Protective Equipment. In resin art: nitrile gloves, half-face respirator, and safety glasses. See the PPE and Safety Gear Guide.
R
Ratio — The proportion of resin to hardener required for proper curing. Most systems use 1:1 by volume. Always follow the manufacturer's specified ratio.
Resin — In resin art, refers to epoxy resin. A two-part thermosetting polymer that cures to a hard, durable solid when mixed with hardener in the correct ratio.
S
Self-Leveling — The property of liquid resin to flow and settle into a flat, even surface under gravity. Only works if the mold or work surface is perfectly level.
Silicone Mold — A mold made from silicone rubber. Preferred for resin art because cured resin releases cleanly without mold release spray.
Solid Pour — A single-color pour where one fully mixed and pigmented resin is poured into the mold in one continuous layer.
Strontium Aluminate — The compound used in high-quality glow pigments. Produces a brighter, longer-lasting glow than older zinc sulfide-based pigments.
Swirl Pour — A technique where two or more colors are poured together and swirled with a toothpick or skewer to create marbled patterns.
T
Tack — A slight stickiness on the surface of partially cured resin at gel stage. Ideal for bonding a second layer in a layered pour.
Topcoat — A clear protective coating applied over a fully cured and polished resin surface to add gloss, scratch resistance, and UV protection.
Torch — A butane-fueled handheld tool used to pop surface bubbles by passing a flame quickly over a freshly poured piece.
U
UV Resin — A single-component resin that cures when exposed to ultraviolet light. Different from epoxy resin, which cures through a two-part chemical reaction.
UV Stabilizer — A chemical additive built into resin formulations that absorbs UV radiation and slows yellowing in cured resin.
V
Viscosity — The thickness or resistance to flow of a liquid. Resin viscosity increases as temperature drops and as curing begins. Warming resin before mixing reduces viscosity and minimizes bubbles.
W
Wet Sanding — A sanding technique where sandpaper and surface are kept wet with water. Produces a finer scratch pattern and prevents clogging.
Working Time — See Pot Life.
Y
Yellowing — The gradual discoloration of cured epoxy resin caused by UV exposure or heat. UV-stabilized resins resist yellowing significantly longer.
Learn More
Use this glossary alongside the full guide library at Resin HQ or browse the Creator Resources page. Have a term you want added? Contact me.