Recommended Reading
Where to Start
The Trayz N Beyond guide library covers a lot of ground. This page gives you a curated reading order depending on who you are and what you want to know. Pick the path that fits you best and follow it in order for the most complete understanding.
Path 1: I Just Received My First Piece
You ordered something, it arrived, and you want to understand what you are holding. Start here.
1. Materials Guide — What your piece is actually made of, from resin and hardener to pigments and topcoat.
2. Color Choices Guide — Understand the colorants that give your piece its look.
3. Resin Techniques Guide — Learn which technique was likely used to create the pattern in your piece.
4. Ask the Creator Q&A — Real questions about the process, the studio, and the brand.
Path 2: I Am New to Resin Art
You are curious about making resin art yourself and want to understand the craft from the ground up. Start here.
1. Materials Guide — Understand what epoxy resin is and how the two-part system works before anything else.
2. Resin Measuring Tools Guide — Accurate measuring is the foundation of every successful pour. Read this early.
3. Resin Mixing Cups and Sticks Guide — Understand your mixing tools and technique before your first pour.
4. PPE and Safety Gear Guide — Required reading before you open a bottle of resin. Non-negotiable.
5. Silicone Molds Guide — Learn what makes a good mold and how to use it correctly.
6. Heat Gun vs Torch Guide — Understand your heat tools before your first pour.
7. Color Choices Guide — Explore the colorants available and how each one behaves.
8. Resin Techniques Guide — Choose your first technique and understand what it involves.
9. Resin Troubleshooting Guide — Bookmark this. You will need it eventually.
Path 3: I Want to Understand Color and Pigments
You are focused on the color side of resin art and want to go deep on pigments and additives.
1. Color Choices Guide — The overview. Read this first to understand how the colorants relate to each other.
2. Mica Powder Guide — The foundation of most resin color work. Understand this one thoroughly.
3. Glitter Guide — Types, grades, and how to use each effectively.
4. Alcohol Ink Guide — A completely different approach to color. Fluid, translucent, and unpredictable.
5. Foil Flakes Guide — The luxury metallic accent that elevates a piece from good to editorial.
6. Glow in the Dark Pigment Guide — A specialty pigment with its own rules. Read this before working with glow.
Path 4: I Want to Master the Studio Tools
You are focused on the technical side and want to understand every tool in the studio.
1. Studio Tools Overview — Start here for the full picture before diving into individual guides.
2. Resin Measuring Tools Guide — Accuracy starts here.
3. Resin Mixing Cups and Sticks Guide — The tools that determine whether your resin cures correctly.
4. Silicone Molds Guide — Everything about the vessel that shapes your piece.
5. Heat Gun vs Torch Guide — Master your heat tools.
6. UV Lamp Guide — Understand when and why UV lamps belong in your studio.
7. Sanding and Finishing Tools Guide — The finishing process is what separates professional results from amateur ones.
8. PPE and Safety Gear Guide — The tool that protects your ability to keep making.
Path 5: I Am Troubleshooting a Problem
Something went wrong and you need answers fast.
1. Resin Troubleshooting Guide — Start here. Find your problem and follow the fix.
2. Resin Measuring Tools Guide — Most curing problems trace back to measuring. Read this if your resin did not cure.
3. Resin Mixing Cups and Sticks Guide — Most other problems trace back to mixing. Read this if your resin is cloudy or has soft spots.
4. Ask the Creator Q&A — If you cannot find your answer, submit your question here.
Explore the Full Library
These curated paths cover the most common starting points but the full library has much more. Visit Resin HQ to browse everything or use the Resource Directory to find a specific page.