Artists and DIYers keep looking for creative shortcuts. Some want to save money, others just love experimenting. So it’s no surprise I’ve heard folks ask about using regular acrylic paint to color epoxy resin. Maybe you’re eyeballing those old tubes in the drawer and thinking: “Why not just stir some in?” I’ve tried it – and not just once. Mixing acrylic paint with epoxy resin can work, but it’s tricky and sometimes goes sideways.
Epoxy resin cures by a chemical reaction: you mix resin with hardener and get a solid, glossy surface. Store shelves are packed with pigments and dyes labeled “resin safe.” The point? Not every colorant plays nice with the chemistry. Acrylic paint uses water as a base. Epoxy hates water. Stirring in too much acrylic turns the mix cloudy or—even worse—never cures at all. Sometimes, you’ll see small cracks or a sticky surface days later.
In my workshop, I have seen projects go both ways. One time I added a tiny dab of good-quality acrylic, and the resin took on a nice tint with no side effects. I tried using more paint on a second piece, thinking I could push my luck. Bad call: sticky puddles, bubbles, and a ripply finish. A friend tried it on a river table project and ended up scraping off layers because his river never set.
Professional resin makers keep warning users that acrylic paint, with all its fillers and water, can shift the cure time and weaken the end product. In crafts where looks matter more than durability, you might get away with it. If you’re planning something people will use or handle, problems show up eventually—cracks, dullness, or tacky spots.
With so many purpose-made pigment powders and inks out there, risking it with acrylic paint often feels like false economy. Mica powders, resin dyes, and special liquid pigments bring bold colors without the chemistry gamble. I keep these on hand, because they blend in smoothly, stick for years, and never jam up the cure.
Some crafters swear by a test batch. That works for small projects: pour a little resin, add the colorant, then check the results a few days later. Still, once you invest hours in a custom table or art piece, nobody wants a sticky or unfinished mess.
Plenty of people want creative freedom without buying expensive tools or supplies. What looks easy online can turn sour fast, especially when you ignore the science behind the materials. Adding the wrong sort of paint can mean wasting money, time, and effort. I learned years ago: read labels, listen to the warnings, and don’t blindly follow hacks. Saving a few dollars up front can lead to frustration later. Resin isn’t cheap, so it pays to treat it right.
Artists deserve clear, trustworthy info— not just hearsay and influencer shortcuts. Always check safety data, start with small tests, and if you want a product to last, use the right pigments for the right job.
