Resin Pigment Paste vs. Pigment Powder

The use of Epoxy Resin in art and crafts projects has dramatically impacted creative communities worldwide. As this popular medium is crystal clear, adding color and special effects is essential in most applications and there are two popular options to color epoxy resin: resin pigment paste and pigment powders. In this article we'll delve into the differences between these added colorants to help you make an informed choice for your project. Additionally, we'll provide a step-by-step guide on how to make your own pigment paste for resin art. So keep reading!

What is Resin Pigment Paste?

Pigment paste for Epoxy Resin is a thick colorant in paste form, generally made of pigment powder and Resin Part A, making it heavier than pigment powders. As resin part A is one of the components, it is easy to mix into Epoxy. The thicker consistency ensures great control over the amount needed to get the desired color intensity, and as we just mentioned, it allows for superb blending. A little bit provides a fairly high opacity level.

In this section, we'll explore the benefits of using resin pigment paste and highlight its key features.

Vibrant and Opulent Color

Pigment Pastes for Epoxy are renowned for producing vibrant colors in resin art pieces. This effect is caused by the concentrated pigments in the paste formulation, which creates intense hues that remain true even after the resin cures, resulting in stunning and eye-catching artwork.

Great for Resin Waves

White Resin Pigment Paste is a favorite of ocean artists, offering several advantages when making frothy resin waves or sought-after cells and movement in ocean art pieces due to the heaviness of this resin colorant. When poured on top of clear resin layer the white colored resin sink allowing the clear to float to the top. If you want to learn more about this technique check this blog article describing how to make stunning resin waves.

How to Make Pigment Paste?

Now that we've explored the differences between resin pigment paste and pigment powder, let's dive into making your own white pigment paste for resin art and more specifically, for resin waves.

Gather the Materials

To create a white pigment paste for resin ocean art, you will need the following materials:

• White Pigment Powder
• Epoxy Resin (Part A)
• Glass mixing surface
• Palette Knife
• Container with lid

Mixing the Pigment Paste

Start by wearing a protective mask to avoid inhaling any pigment particles. In a clean glass mixing surface, combine both ingredients in 3:1 ratio. Measure 3 parts of white pigment powder and 1 part of Resin Part A. Mix thoroughly until a smooth and consistent paste is achieved.

Storage and Application

Transfer the pigment paste into a sealable container for storage. To color your resin project, add a fingernail amount of the paste per ounce of epoxy resin and stir until fully incorporated. Then the mixture is ready to pour and make waves. 

If you are interested in making frothy resin waves with our DIY Pigment Paste formula, check out our step-by-step video tutorial here.

What is Resin Pigment Powder?

Pigment powders are also popular options for coloring resin projects, and they offer unique advantages that may appeal to different artists and crafters depending on the intended results. For example, woodworkers prefer the stunning movement and special effects pigment powders create in deep pours and river tables.

Pigment Powders are mostly made of natural minerals, true metals, and some even from synthetic materials. For your reference, we have listed below the most popular epoxy pigment powders you can use to color your resin projects.

Mica Powders

Mica powders are the preferred type of pigment powders for epoxy resin. They have a pearlescent, shimmery finish that adds depth and motion to the cured resin layers. Micas are made by grinding that natural mineral into powder form resulting in non-toxic and inert dazzling pigments. They don't dissolve into the Resin, so the particles remain suspended, and when exposed to light, they provide a beautiful sparkling finish.

True Metallic Pigments

Unlike micas, true metallic pigments' golden or silvery appearance comes from real metals like Aluminum, Copper, and Zinc powder. They have a smaller particle size than micas, making them float to create stunning special effects in resin art pieces. In addition, you only need a small amount to color epoxy resin.

Glitters

Glitter is primarily made of synthetic materials like PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) and cut into specific shapes and sizes to create a shiny effect in your resin art projects. Additionally, plastic-free options are available, such as our Dazzling Diamond, which uses synthetic micas with Synthetic fluorphlogopite as its main component. It is essential to understand that glitter does not add color to the medium; the tiny or chunky particles will remain suspended in a translucent resin. To achieve a more saturated result, add more glitter. However, if you prefer a sparkling but see-through finish, adding a small amount of glitter to the layer of Resin being poured is recommended.

Versatility and Customization

Artists can blend different pigments using pigment powder to create customized colors. This flexibility provides unlimited options and enables them to match specific color palettes or try out unique DIY shades.

Translucency and Layering

Pigment powders are often preferred for achieving translucent effects in resin art. By layering multiple coats of colored Resin, artists can create stunning depth and dimension in their artwork, resulting in a mesmerizing visual experience.

Cost-Effectiveness

Compared to resin pigment paste, pigment powders generally offer a more cost-effective solution for resin art enthusiasts. A little goes a long way, as small amounts of pigment powder can create vibrant colors, making it an economical choice, especially for large-scale projects. On top of that, you can make your own DIY pigment paste out of pigment powder and resin Part A, as you have seen in the tutorial above.

Conclusion

When coloring your resin art project, there are a couple of options: resin pigment pastes or pigment powders in any of the main three variants, mica powders, metallics, or glitters. Each colorant has its benefits depending on your artistic preferences and project needs. We always recommend trying various techniques, colors, and mediums to fully understand resin art's potential. Knowing the difference between resin pigment paste and pigment powder will enable you to create stunning resin artworks.

If you want to learn more about creating with Epoxy Resin and MEYSPRING Pigments, take a look at our blog with related tutorials and articles like Epoxy Resin Troubleshooting Tips, or How much Mica Powder is needed to color Resin.

We hope you find this article helpful. If you have any questions or concerns, do not hesitate to let us know in the comments below. We are always happy to help.