Resin Pigment Powder vs. Liquid: Which Should You Choose?
Liquids, powders, and glitters - Oh, my! Do you know what kind of resin colorant you should be using? Or what's the main difference between them? This article will discuss liquid and powder pigments for resin art and how to make the right choice depending on the desired outcome!
You'll need to picture your intended effect when deciding between liquid and powder pigments to color your epoxy resin project. Some liquid colorants are better to get translucent, or plain color results, while powder pigments usually add more special effects and movement to resin art pieces. Which is best? It depends on the types of resin artwork and even personal taste. Both methods of resin coloring have their advantages and challenges, but it's essential to understand the different effects they produce so you get the best results possible.
Are you wondering about the advantages and special effects of each coloring method? Then let's take a deeper dive into the captivating world of epoxy resin pigments.
Liquid Resin Pigment
Liquid resin pigments are similar to a dye or a highly concentrated paint.
These pigments are designed to dissolve and blend seamlessly into your resin, resulting in consistent, solid color or plain translucent results depending on the amount of color you use. In addition, they mix easily with each other, which is useful when creating a custom shade.
However, liquid pigments have a shorter shelf life than powder pigments and must be stored upright in specific conditions as their components can start to separate after a while.
Adding liquid color might change the resin-hardener ratio in your mixture, so you may need to test the right proportions with a small amount of resin before using liquid color in large projects.
Resin Powder Pigments
The category of resin powders includes additives in a dry, solid form. Resin powders can serve more purposes than liquid pigments, such as adding sparkle, shine, and dimension to your pieces.
Mica Powder for Resin
Mica powder is the all-in-one resin pigment and a favorite in the resin art community. Adding vibrant color plus a unique iridescent luster and unparalleled movement to any resin creation is easy when using these shimmery pigments.
Most artists fall in love immediately with the incredible depth they produce in resin art or woodwork pieces. It's almost like an extra-fine glitter with a pearly effect. Since Mica powders are made from natural mica mineral coated with iron oxide/titanium dioxide to create a range of vibrant hues and shades, they do not dissolve in resin, so the particles stay suspended in the medium. As a result, a variety of stunning cells and 3D effects, depth, and shimmery finish make them the go-to resin pigment for most artists and crafters.
True Metallic Pigment for Resin
Metallic pigments are actual metals, such as copper, zinc, and aluminum, ground to powder. The metal particles give resin an authentic golden or silvery appearance, usually resulting in opaque finishes when the project cures completely.
True metallic pigments have a smaller micron size than micas and glitter, so you need only a tiny amount of these pigments to color your projects. In addition, they blend easily, and some particles even float in resin, creating an enchanting "liquid metal" or the so-called floating-gold effect.
Sparkle and Glitter for Resin
Glitter is a super fun solid additive for epoxy resin. It also comes in varying sizes and shapes. Fine, soft glitter will add a sparkling texture and the illusion of color to any resin artwork. However, chunkier glitter is not best used for coloring resin, as it is complicated to blend seamlessly and will not dissolve so that the resin will stay transparent. Instead, most resin artists use them to add highlights or decor details to their projects.
Which Resin Pigment Should You Choose?
Now that you know some of the fundamental differences between powder and liquid pigment for epoxy resin, the choice is up to you and your type of project. Consider your intended effect first, then choose the suitable resin pigment type for your product.
Do you want a smooth, matte, even color? Go for liquids. For a more textured and exciting effect, try pigment powders. If your piece is small, adding shine with mica or fine glitter may be more appropriate than large glitter.
It's also important to consider the shelf life of each material. For example, if you create resin art as an irregular hobby rather than a day-to-day practice, the liquid pigment may go bad before you can use the whole bottle.
Settling the Debate
In the great debate between resin pigment powder vs. liquid, everybody wins. You can add liquids, mica powders, metallic pigments, or glitters to your epoxy resin and create different special effects. In the end, the best way to find out what works for you is to try everything! So unleash your creativity and get mixing!
Are you ready to up your resin game? Then, check out all MEYSPRING pigments and start exploring what's possible using our curated palettes, including a Geode Art Online Course! If you are interested in creating jaw-dropping special effects in resin art using mica powders, check out this article.
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2 comments
Which pigment choose in powder or liquid for adhesive ?
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