Epoxy Resin Kit

An epoxy resin kit is the quickest way to go from curiosity to a cured, glossy piece, because it puts matched resin and hardener in one box alongside the bits you would otherwise forget. Kits range from tiny bundles for jewellery and coasters to large twin-pack sets intended for tabletops and river pours, and the contents vary more than the photos on the box suggest.

Knowing what is usually included, which sizes suit which projects and what you will still need to buy separately saves wasted money and half-finished pours. This guide unpacks a typical kit, explains the size options and helps you pick the right box for the project in front of you.

What is inside an epoxy resin kit

At its heart every kit contains two bottles: part A, the resin, and part B, the hardener. They are formulated to be used together at a fixed ratio, often one to one or two to one, and the label will say whether that ratio is measured by volume or by weight. Beyond the two liquids, contents vary widely. Starter kits commonly add graduated mixing cups, wooden or silicone stir sticks, a few pairs of gloves and sometimes a plastic spreader. Craft-focused kits may include small pots of pigment, mica powders, glitter, dried flowers or silicone moulds for coasters and trays. Larger kits aimed at tables tend to be simpler, with generous quantities of resin and hardener and perhaps a pump or two for accurate dispensing. Always check the instruction leaflet and the safety data sheet; a good kit includes both, and they tell you more about the product than any marketing text.

Understanding epoxy resin kit sizes

Kits are sold by the combined quantity of resin and hardener, usually in millilitres, litres or kilograms. Small sets of a few hundred millilitres are ideal for learning, jewellery and a handful of coasters. Mid-size kits of around one to two litres suit serving boards, trays, small art panels and coating a side table. Large kits of several litres upwards are for coffee tables, dining tops and river pours. Our guide to epoxy resin for tables explains which formula each job needs. Buying bigger generally lowers the cost per litre, but resin has a shelf life once opened and hardener can darken over time, so there is little point in stockpiling far more than you will use. It is better to estimate your project’s volume, add a sensible margin for spills and mixing cups, and buy one size up rather than three.

The extras you will almost certainly need

Even the most generous kit leaves gaps. Before your first pour, gather these essentials:

• Personal protection: spare nitrile gloves, safety glasses and a respirator fitted with organic-vapour cartridges, plus good ventilation in the room.
• Accurate measuring: a digital scale if the ratio is by weight, or straight-sided graduated cups if it is by volume.
• Bubble control: a heat gun or small blowtorch to pop surface bubbles.
• Levelling and protection: a spirit level, plastic sheeting for the bench and a dust cover to keep hair and fluff off the curing surface.
• Moulds and tape: silicone moulds for small casts, or melamine, sheathing tape and silicone sealant for larger forms.
• Finishing kit: sandpaper in a range of grits and a polishing compound for edges and drips.

None of these are glamorous, but they make the difference between a crisp result and a sticky, cloudy one.

Matching a kit to your project

The most important choice is not size but type, because an epoxy resin kit is built around a particular formula. Coating and art kits are thick, cure in a day or so and are designed for layers of a few millimetres, which is perfect for canvases, trays, coasters and a glossy flood coat on an epoxy table top. Casting kits handle medium depths for moulded objects such as paperweights and small blocks. Kits of deep pour epoxy resin are slow, runny and made to fill river channels and large voids in one go without overheating. If you are starting with small art pieces, a coating or art kit with some pigments is ideal. For a resin river table, choose a deep pour kit for the channel and consider a smaller table top epoxy resin kit for the final flood coat. Never pour a coating kit deeper than its label allows; the trapped heat can crack and yellow the piece.

How to judge the quality of a kit

With so many kits on the market, a few checks help separate a sound choice from a disappointing one. Look for a clear statement of the maximum pour depth, the working time and the full cure time. A proper technical data sheet should be available from the seller or manufacturer. Check whether the kit is described as UV stabilised, like a dedicated UV resistant epoxy resin, if your project will sit in daylight. Read the mixing instructions before buying, because a ratio that is easy to measure accurately with the tools you own will give more reliable results. Finally, think about the smell and the workspace: some formulas are lower odour than others, which matters if you are working indoors. Whatever you choose, keep the room warm and stable while it cures, as cold conditions can leave the surface cloudy or tacky.

Storing your kit between projects

Leftover resin and hardener will keep for a good while if treated well. Wipe the bottle necks clean before closing them, because crystallised resin can stop the lids sealing properly. Store both parts upright in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and out of reach of children and pets. If resin has thickened or turned cloudy in a cold shed, standing the sealed bottle in warm water for a while often brings it back to clarity. Hardener that has turned noticeably yellow may still cure, but it is best kept for opaque or dark pours rather than crystal-clear work such as a clear epoxy table.

For background on how the resin and hardener in a kit actually react, Wikipedia’s overview of epoxy chemistry and curing is a clear primer, and the HSE’s table of skin irritants and sensitisers explains why gloves matter every time you mix.

Related guide: Epoxy Resin: Types, Uses & How to Choose (Guide)

Related guide: What Is Resin? Types, Uses & What It Is Made Of

Related guide: UV Resin: How It Works, Pros, Cons & Best Uses

Frequently asked questions

Is a starter epoxy resin kit enough for a coffee table?

Usually not. Small kits are sized for coasters, trays and art pieces. A coffee table needs a much larger kit, and if it includes a deep river channel it needs a deep pour formula rather than a coating resin.

Can I mix resin and hardener from different kits?

No. Each hardener is chemically matched to its own resin. Mixing parts from different products or brands risks a soft, tacky or cloudy result that never fully cures.

Do kit pigments work with any resin?

Most resin pigments, micas and alcohol inks are broadly compatible with epoxy, but adding too much can affect curing. Use small amounts and test on a scrap cup first.

See a kit put to work

For real projects that go well beyond the box, from small art pours to full lit tables, visit the Go Bespoke YouTube channel, @go-bespoke.

Would you rather leave the resin to us? Get in touch for a bespoke quote.