Whether you're creating stunning ocean art, glossy coasters, jewellery, serving boards or professional resin artwork, choosing the right epoxy resin is one of the most important decisions you'll make. At Resin Wood Tables NZ, we've carefully selected a range of premium epoxy resins designed to suit different projects, skill levels and finishes.
This guide explains the different types of art resin available, what each resin is best suited for, and how to choose the perfect product for your next project. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced resin artist, you'll find the information you need to achieve beautiful, crystal-clear results.
Why Choosing the Right Resin Matters
Not all epoxy resins are created equal. While many products may look similar, different resin systems are specifically formulated for different applications.
Using the correct resin can provide:
- Crystal-clear finishes
- Excellent UV resistance
- Fewer bubbles
- Better self-levelling
- Improved scratch resistance
- Longer-lasting artwork
- Easier mixing and application
Using the wrong resin can result in yellowing, overheating, soft finishes, excessive bubbles or failed projects.
That's why we recommend choosing a resin designed specifically for the project you're creating.
The Different Types of Art Resin
1. Craft & Art Resin (1:1 Mix Ratio)
Perfect for:
- Ocean art
- Resin paintings
- Coasters
- Geode artwork
- Clocks
- Decorative panels
- Serving boards
- Home décor
- Beginners
A 1:1 epoxy resin is one of the easiest resin systems to use. Equal parts of resin and hardener make measuring simple while still producing a high-gloss, crystal-clear finish.
Our PassionArt Art Resin has been developed to provide excellent clarity, outstanding colour enhancement and reliable curing, making it ideal for artists who want professional results without complicated mixing ratios.
Benefits include:
- Easy 1:1 mixing
- Excellent clarity
- UV-resistant formulation
- Self-levelling finish
- Low odour
- Minimal bubbles
- Perfect for everyday resin art
2. Doming Resin
Best for:
- Jewellery
- Magnets
- Stickers
- Keyrings
- Small decorative items
- High-build glossy finishes
Doming resin is a thicker epoxy designed to stay where it's poured without running over edges. It creates an exceptionally glossy finish with impressive depth, making colours and glitter appear even more vibrant.
If your project requires a raised glass-like finish, doming resin is the perfect choice.
3. Tabletop Resin
Ideal for:
- Serving boards
- Timber furniture
- Countertops
- Bar tops
- Tabletops
- Display pieces
Tabletop resin is designed to produce an extremely durable protective coating while maintaining excellent clarity. It provides improved scratch resistance and creates a professional finish on timber and decorative surfaces.
It is an excellent choice when both appearance and durability are important.
4. Deep Pour Resin
Designed for:
- River tables
- Live edge timber
- Thick castings
- Resin moulds
- Large decorative pieces
Deep pour epoxy is specially formulated to cure slowly, allowing significantly thicker pours without excessive heat build-up.
Unlike standard art resin, deep pour resin can often be poured in much greater depths while maintaining excellent clarity.
It is the preferred choice for timber river tables and larger casting projects.
5. UV Resin
Best suited for:
- Jewellery
- Miniatures
- Small moulds
- Fast repairs
- Fine craft projects
UV resin cures within minutes under a UV lamp and requires no mixing. It's perfect for smaller projects where speed and convenience are important.
6. Sealer Resin
Recommended for:
- Raw timber
- MDF
- Concrete
- Porous surfaces
Sealing porous materials before applying your main resin coat helps reduce bubbles, improves adhesion and creates a smoother final finish.
For timber projects, a sealing coat is highly recommended.
Which Resin Is Right for Your Project?
| Project |
Recommended Resin |
| Ocean Art |
PassionArt 1:1 Art Resin |
| Resin Paintings |
PassionArt 1:1 Art Resin |
| Coasters |
PassionArt 1:1 Art Resin |
| Serving Boards |
Tabletop Resin |
| River Tables |
Ocean Cast Deep Pour Resin |
| Jewellery |
Doming Resin or UV Resin |
| Decorative Clocks |
PassionArt 1:1 Art Resin |
| Timber Furniture |
Tabletop Resin |
| Deep Castings |
Ocean Cast Deep Pour Resin |
Beginner or Professional?
For Beginners
If you're new to resin art, we generally recommend starting with a high-quality 1:1 art resin. These systems are simple to measure, forgiving to use and ideal for learning the fundamentals of epoxy resin.
For Experienced Resin Artists
As your skills develop, you may choose specialist products such as deep pour resins, doming resins or premium finishing coats designed for specific applications.
Selecting the right resin for each project can significantly improve the quality of your finished work.
Why Buy Art Resin from Resin Wood Tables NZ?
We understand the needs of New Zealand resin artists because resin is our passion.
When you purchase from Resin Wood Tables NZ you'll receive:
- Premium quality epoxy resin
- Products selected for New Zealand conditions
- Crystal-clear professional finishes
- Excellent UV resistance
- Reliable technical support
- Fast New Zealand shipping
- Friendly advice from experienced resin users
- Carefully tested products we trust ourselves
Whether you're creating your first coaster or your hundredth river table, we're here to help you achieve the best possible results.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best resin for beginners?
A quality 1:1 art resin is generally the easiest system to learn with due to its simple mixing ratio and forgiving working time.
Which resin is best for ocean art?
A crystal-clear art resin with excellent self-levelling properties is ideal for creating waves, lacing and vibrant colour effects.
Can epoxy resin yellow?
All epoxy resins will naturally age over time. High-quality resins containing UV stabilisers help slow this process and maintain clarity for much longer.
What is the difference between art resin and tabletop resin?
Art resin is formulated primarily for decorative artwork, while tabletop resin is designed to provide a harder, more durable protective coating for furniture and timber surfaces.
Should I seal timber before using resin?
Yes. Applying a sealing coat helps reduce air bubbles, improves adhesion and produces a smoother final finish.
How thick can I pour resin?
The maximum pour depth depends on the specific resin. Standard art resins are generally applied in thin layers, while deep pour resins are formulated for much thicker applications. Always follow the instructions provided with your chosen product.
Explore More Resin Resources
If you're looking to learn more about working with epoxy resin, we recommend exploring our growing collection of helpful guides and resources, including:
These resources are designed to help you choose the right products, improve your techniques and get the very best results from every project.
Start Creating with Confidence
Choosing the right resin is the foundation of every successful project. Whether you're creating colourful ocean art, elegant jewellery, timber serving boards or stunning river tables, Resin Wood Tables NZ offers premium epoxy resin systems to help you achieve professional-quality results.
Browse our complete range of art resins and discover why resin artists throughout New Zealand trust Resin Wood Tables NZ for quality products, expert advice and outstanding customer service.
Written by Paul, founder of Resin Wood Tables NZ, with years of experience producing custom resin furniture and helping thousands of New Zealand resin artists choose the right epoxy for their projects.