How to Make a Resin Tray? | Autumnal Home Decor

Nothing says autumn like cozy decor, vibrant foliage colors, and warm tones filling the home! Using MEYSPRING pigments, we’ll show you how to create a mesmerizing abstract design with special floating effects and cells, perfect for displaying treats or seasonal decor.

MEYSPRING Pigments in this tray: Pure Copper, Mystic Opal, Gilded Gold

This tutorial will guide you through creating a unique abstract pumpkin-shaped wood and epoxy resin serving tray with a mesmerizing autumn-inspired color palette!

Resin Tray for Beginners

Supplies needed for pouring a resin tray:

• Wood Pumpkin Tray – Any smooth-surfaced, unfinished wood pumpkin (or any autumn-themed) shape works well.
• Crafting Epoxy Resin – Use a high-quality, clear epoxy that’s food-safe once cured.
• MEYSPRING Pigments of your choice! In this tutorial, we use: Pure Copper Mica Powder – For a warm, metallic, and earthy base tone. Mystic Opal Mica Powder – Adds a subtle blue-green effect. Gilded Gold True Metallic Pigment – Brings a luxurious, metallic accent with floating effects.
• White Pigment Paste – Helps amplify lacing and cell effects while adding a bright pop of color.
• Mixing cups 
• Stir sticks
• Heat gun & mini torch
• Masking tape or Liquid Latex (optional to protect the backside of the tray)
• PPE for Resin Art 

How to make a resin serving tray?

In this tutorial, we'll show you how to craft a one-of-a-kind serving tray using a wooden base and epoxy resin colored with MEYSPRING micas and true metallic pigments. Follow the step-by-step below to achieve a stunning metallic color palette inspired by the rich hues of autumn, ensuring your tray is not only functional but also a striking centerpiece for your home. Get ready to get creative and bring a touch of seasonal charm to your servingware!

Step 1: Prepare the Tray and Workspace

• Cover your workspace with a protective layer and ensure your wood pumpkin tray is dust-free.
• Apply painter’s tape around the edges to catch any resin drips and protect or areas where you don’t want resin.

Step 2: Mix Your Pigments into Resin

• Prepare the resin according to the manufacturer’s instructions, thoroughly mixing equal parts resin and hardener. Once combined, divide your resin into 4 cups total (or 1 for each color). 
• Then, add your pigment colors into each resin cup and stir until fully incorporated.
• If you want to learn more about how much mica powder you need to color your resin project, check out our blog article: How much Mica Powder in Resin?

Step 3: Pour Your Colors

• Begin by pouring your base color over your tray. In this case, we have used MEYSPRING Pure Copper for this purpose. 
• With a stir stick or gloved hand you can spread the resin over the tray, ensuring the edges are covered. 
• Then, drizzle each of the remaining colors across the tray several times. Don’t worry about perfection—this layer will become blown out with the heat gun momentarily.

Step 4: Use Heat to Create Cells and Floating Effects

• Using a heat gun at a high setting, carefully apply heat to the resin surface from the top of the tray, then from the bottom of the tray (see video above).
• Then, move the heat gun in a circular motion to create gentle formations in the resin.
• Watch as the colors begin to interact, forming cells and wisps as they spread and blend. Each pigment type (mica, metallic, and paste) will develop lace-like patterns and floating effects, giving the tray an ethereal look.
• Step back and let the resin sit/cool off for a few minutes. During this time, the cells will continue to form. Once it’s sat momentarily, you can go over your pour with a heat torch to create more prominent cells. Repeat this final step as needed, taking care not to burn the epoxy.

Step 5: Let the Resin Cure

• Allow the tray to cure in a dust-free area according to your resin’s instructions (typically 12-24 hours).
• Once fully cured, remove any painter’s tape or liquid latex (if applied at the beginning), sand any drips if needed, and admire your finished tray!

Pro Tips:

1. Avoid Overheating: Too much heat can distort the cells and lead to unwanted air bubbles. A little smoke is normal - so use caution and wear a respirator mask!
2. Experiment with Movement: Try tilting the tray slightly while heating to create more dynamic flow patterns.
3. Seal the Tray Before Use: For an added layer of durability, you can seal the entire tray with a food-safe oil or hard wax to ensure the wood portion of your tray stays polished!

Final Thoughts

Creating an autumnal resin serving tray is a fun and rewarding way to bring the beauty of fall into your home decor. With epoxy resin and MEYSPRING’s vibrant pigments, you can achieve a stunning, abstract design full of depth and shimmer. The Pure Copper base and layered colors evoke the warmth of the season, while the cells and floating effects give the tray an artistic, one-of-a-kind look. Whether used for entertaining, as a decorative piece, or even as a homemade gift, your pumpkin tray will be a cozy reminder of autumn’s charm year-round. 

We hope you enjoyed this DIY tutorial. Can't wait to see what you create. Happy crafting!

See below a Pinterest-friendly photo you can save to your boards for future reference.

Share your finished pieces and experiences with the MEYSPRING Community by tagging @meyspring on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and TikTok, or share on our blog!