Resin has gotten many crafters hooked, and it’s not hard to see why. It’s a truly magical compound; hard-wearing, beautiful, clear yet colorable, non-porous, and super versatile. Resin starts as a transparent inert liquid that hardens into a tough solid. Because liquids can take any shape, the possibilities of what you can create are endless.
If it’s your very first time working with resin, there’s a handful of supplies you’ll need to buy, and it can quickly get confusing shopping for them. A craft resin kit offers a simpler and cheaper way to get everything you need in one convenient bundle.
Which is the best craft resin kit? The best craft resin kit contains not only high-quality yellow-resistant resin and hardener but also safety equipment such as gloves and easy-to-follow instructions. Some kits even include bonus items like resin molds, glitter, dyes, and more.
In this post, we’ve curated some helpful info on how to choose a craft resin kit. We go further ahead and shortlist the 5 best craft resin kits, so you don’t have to search far and wide. Let’s get crafty!
Choosing A Craft Resin Kit – Buyer’s Guide
As a beginner, you’ll come across an overwhelming number of brands when shopping for a craft resin kit, making it challenging to select one. Considering the following things helps you narrow down the options to a few that best suit your needs.
1. Type Of Resin
Resin is an umbrella term for specific inert liquids that must be combined with the hardener to solidify. There are various types of resin: polyester, polyurethane, silicone, and epoxy, among others.
The best resin to use for crafting is epoxy resin. It is easier to work with, all-purpose, the least toxic, has a reasonable window period, and has a quick curing time. Therefore, when choosing a craft resin kit, ensure that the resin that comes in it is a two-part epoxy resin plus hardener.
The best resin is also yellow-resistant so that the color doesn’t change over time. Low-quality resins can turn your art from a crystal clear masterpiece into a murky, dirty mess.
2. Resin Capacity
The type of craft resin kit you choose should go hand-in-hand with the kind of project you intend to undertake. The resin capacity helps determine if a kit is the best fit for what you want to make.
A small kit with around 16oz of fluid is ideal for jewelry, keychains, and other small crafts that do not need much resin.
However, for larger projects like countertop coverage or river tables, you’ll need at least 1-gallon craft resin kits. You can also opt for that size if you are an avid resin crafter and prefer to buy a large quantity of resin at one go.
3. Accessories Included
Crafting with resin always involves several small supplies besides the resin and hardener. Buying them individually on a budget can quickly get expensive. It is always appreciated when they are included in the craft resin kit.
Notwithstanding, brands vary widely when it comes to the type of accessories included in their kits. Most kits will have the basics you need, such as gloves, wooden stirring sticks, droppers, and measuring cups.
Comprehensive kits will throw in glitter, pigments, and even dried flowers to glam up your crafts. Project-specific kits like resin jewelry kits will come with molds.
These all-in-one combo kits are perfect for anyone testing the waters. It offers an opportunity to learn mixing in different additives and coloring. However, most professional-grade craft resin kits are really simple. You’ll get the resin and hardener, and if you’re lucky, a dropper or two, measuring cups, and some stirring sticks.
The assumption is that experienced crafters who purchase resin have already tried out different things and mastered resin crafting. They likely have specific molds they prefer to use and other tools; hence less is provided with more resin in the kit.
The numbers provided are also worth noting as these tools are disposable. Since resin sticks adamantly to the surfaces, some accessories become one-time-use items and must be discarded.
Consequently, you’ll want several pieces to take you through a couple of batches before thinking of replenishment. However, if sturdy and of excellent quality, you can clean everything before the resin dries. Anything that’s made of silicone will be reusable, as the resin will slide right off of it.
4. Quality
The quality of the resin contained in the kits determines the final finish and look of your crafts. The higher the quality of the resin, the fewer the bubbles, the clearer and glossier the outcome, and vice versa.
Quality also affects the hardness. The lower quality resin may flex a bit even after fully curing. There’s also yellowing to think about after long-term exposure to light. High-quality formulas are made with UV protection.
The 5 Best Craft Resin Kits
Without taking more time, let’s quickly head straight to the best craft resin kits. The selection criteria were based on expert recommendations and thousands of satisfied customer reviews.
| Rank | Product | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Puduo Epoxy Resin Kit | Crystal clear, non-toxic, low-odor, quick curing |
| 2. | Dr. Crafty Clear Epoxy Resin Kit | High gloss, UV resistant, crystal clear |
| 3. | Teexpert Epoxy Resin Kit | Yellow-resistant, low-odor, bubble-resistant |
| 4. | Craft Resin Epoxy Kit | Fast curing, low viscosity, VOC-free |
| 5. | GoodyKing Resin Jewelry Making Kit | Includes molds, glitter, mica, dried flowers, etc. |
1. Epoxy-Resin-Crystal-Clear-Kit
Puduo resin is a favorite for many crafters. Thousands of reviewers affirm its crystal clarity, and if a glass-like appearance is what you are after, this is your best bet.
Still, it is compatible with alcohol inks, mica, glitter, and other colorants and decorative additives, so you are free to decorate your creations.
Another lovable feature of this resin is that it is non-toxic and low odor. Therefore, you won’t be bothered by offensive fumes while working.
You are provided with about 40 minutes of working time which is enough to prepare, mix, and design your resin. You can de-mold in 8-10 hours, and the full cure time is 48 hours.
In the kit is 8 oz of resin, 8 oz of hardener, a pair of rubber gloves, 4 graduated cups for precise measurements, and 3 small wooden sticks.
The caps are leakproof. If you haven’t had luck with liquids arriving safely after shipping in the past, you can change the narrative with Puduo.
2. Dr. Crafty Clear Epoxy Resin Kit
You get 1 gallon of resin bottled in two parts; half-gallon resin and half-gallon hardener. That’s enough product for any kind of resin obsession.
This resin formula has a high shine finish without a blinding glare and is UV resistant, so it doesn’t yellow with time. You’ll enjoy crystal clarity, smoothness, reasonable work time, and solid smudge-proof results after curing.
The bonus tools included are sturdily constructed and can be cleaned for future mixing. There are 2 measuring cups, 5 inch flat spatulas for spreading and scraping the sides, and 2 plastic stirring spoons.
Dr. Crafty’s resin kit is a high-performance choice for the serious resin crafter who wants to be on top of their game. It is versatile enough for both small and large projects.
3. Epoxy Resin – Crystal Clear Resin Kit
It is always recommended to start small if it is your first time working with resin. This Teexpert resin brand allows you to do that without breaking the bank.
You get 8 oz resin and 8 oz hardener, plus all the essential accessories: 2 measuring cups, 2 pipettes, 2 pairs of gloves, and 4 wooden sticks.
Despite the kit’s simplicity, the resin provided is top-notch. It is clear and doesn’t yellow months later in normal indoor conditions. It has a very low, almost unnoticeable odor which is a pleasure to work with.
It provides ample work time of 40 minutes, and if you follow the mixing instructions carefully, bubbles and pooling won’t be a concern. Furthermore, there are helpful tips on the bottle label, which is a plus for newbies who may be clueless.
The highlight of this kit is its child-proof caps that you have to press before turning to open. This is a significant safety feature, especially for home crafters with kids.
4. Craft Resin Epoxy Kit
Another incredible option is this Craft Resin kit brand. It produces the same phenomenal results as other big names but for less time and minus nauseating fumes.
If you are ever in a time crunch or couldn’t be bothered to wait for 48 or 72 hours for the resin to cure, you need this. It hardens in 24 hours, and that’s a major selling point.
Among its other features is brilliance in clarity, low viscosity, and no VOCs. It is safe and odorless.
You can make all things beautiful: jewelry, keychain, river tables, etc. It mixes well with glitter, pigments, and other embellishments.
You get a stirring stick and gloves in addition to the 17oz resin and 17oz hardener, which isn’t much. But for the resin, the kit offers great value.
5. GoodyKing Resin Jewelry Making Kit
This GoodyKing craft resin kit is designed for the absolute beginner in resin. It is an all-in-one kit that makes learning how to work with resin super fun.
Unlike other brands in this review, this is the only craft resit kit with molds. It also has glitter, mica, sequins, tiny dried flowers, and lots of other little exciting stuff to try with your resin.
The bottled resin and hardener are 8oz each, totaling 16oz of fluid which is a decent amount to practice with.
It comes with the necessary tools, including measuring cups and stirring sticks.
For a starter craft resin kit with literally everything, including a detailed instructional booklet, Goodyking gives you a bang for your bucks. You won’t have to look anywhere else for additional supplies.
Up Next: Best Pressure Pots For Resin
