What Pigments Are Best for Coloring UV Resin?
When it comes to working with UV resin, there’s a whole world of creativity waiting for you but one of the biggest stumbling blocks for beginners is coloring it right. Too often, people reach for the wrong pigments, like acrylic paint or candle dyes and end up with sticky, half-cured, or even warped resin pieces. But don’t worry, we’re here to help you steer clear of these common mistakes and guide you toward coloring success.
Why Is Choosing the Right UV Resin Colorant So Important?
UV resin needs to remain transparent so that UV light or direct sunlight can penetrate through the resin and achieve a complete cure. Choosing the right color concentrate ensures that the light can pass through effectively. If you use an unsuitable pigment, the UV rays can be blocked by the color, preventing the resin from curing fully. This can lead to issues like stickiness or leaking over time. So, when adding color, it’s important to choose the right pigment and also to control the pigment’s depth or intensity to avoid blocking the light.
What Pigments Can You Use with UV Resin?
1. The safest and beginner-friendly option are Pre Colored UV Resin that comes in a bottle ready to go already mixed with UV Resin so you simply pour and cure. No measuring, no mixing, perfect for getting started without the guesswork.
2. You can also use colors that are “transparent” inks. These will always remain transparent regardless how much you put into your resin. They can also be referred to as “Tints”. If you're aiming for a darker look, it’s best to pour and cure in layers. This ensures each layer gets enough UV exposure to cure fully, preventing any sticky or soft spots
3. Love a little sparkle? Let’s Resin Holographic Glitters works! They have been tested and cured beautifully under UV light. They also add a shimmering effect without interfering with the curing process.
4. Pigment Pastes or Opaque Inks can work, but a light hand is key. Too much pigment can block the UV light and prevent full curing. Overuse may lead to bubbling, uncured patches, or an oily, uneven surface. Use sparingly and cure thoroughly!
5. Some soft-colored mica powders can be used safely in tiny amounts. They add a lovely shimmer and, if used correctly, won’t interfere much with light penetration
A Quick Word of Caution: Alcohol Inks
Alcohol inks are not recommended as they too obscure light from completely penetrating through UV. On top of that, many alcohol ink colors fade after UV exposure.
There are some exceptions and many will say it is safe for some of these at a much higher skill level. For beginners, I would only suggest using PreColored UV Resin, transparent inks, holographic glitters or very light mica colors in tiny amounts. As a beginner, if you follow these suggestions you will find success with your UV Projects.