How To Start a Resin Art Business at Home: A Beginners Guide
For those of you who love creating resin art, have you considered turning your passion into a profitable business? Starting a resin art business from home is a great way to monetize your creativity and share your unique art pieces with others.
Whether you’re a beginner or have experience with resin art, our beginner’s guide will walk you through the steps to start your own home-based resin art business and make it successful.
But Firstly – What Is Resin?
Resin is a two-component mixture that involves mixing liquid resin (an opaque liquid plastic) and a liquid hardener. Mixing these two components leads to a chemical reaction that causes the mixture to harden or cure. Usually, the mixture will harden within 24 to 72 hours.
Resin is non-toxic, durable, lustrous, and waterproof after it has dried. But dealing with it can be dangerous without the proper safety equipment, so it’s important to always be safety-first when creating your resin pieces.
Different resins are available, with the main ones being:
- Epoxy resin
- Polyester resin
- Polyurethane resin
Epoxy resin is the most commonly used in art because it has a high gloss finish, is durable, and is easy to work with.
Here’s where you can find out more about resin, what it is and how it works.
What Is Resin Art?
Resin art is a form of arts and crafts that uses resin as its base material. Creating resin art can involve different methods, such as pouring, layering, casting, and more. Many artists also create resin art in combination with other materials such as wood, acrylic paints, and pigments.
You can pour the resin into molds with decorations like dried flowers or shells or mixed with paint or ink to produce vibrant patterns and designs. You can also pour resin over paintings to create a protective coating that is thick and glossy.
Resin is versatile, so you can use it to create a wide variety of art forms. Functional products like jewellery, home décor, and abstract paintings all form part of resin art. Artists use resin to create various effects, such as a glossy finish, encapsulation of objects, or a layered, three-dimensional look.
It’s important to note that working with resin can be tricky and messy and requires proper ventilation and safety precautions such as gloves, a mask, and a well-ventilated area.
Resin Art Business Ideas
Here’s some different ways you can use resin art to create unique art pieces and business opportunities…
Given that resin is such a versatile material, this opens up a lot of exciting and creative business opportunities to try from home.
From creating abstract resin art paintings with fluid art, geode, or marbled effects to jewellery making with unique and one-of-a-kind pieces like pendants, earrings, bracelets, resin keychains, and rings, the possibilities are endless.
You can also use resin to create three-dimensional sculptures, figurines, other objects, and decorative items for the home, such as resin coasters, bookends, candle holders, and vases.
Another option is incorporating resin into custom furniture such as tables, chairs, and other pieces. You can also offer custom orders and commissions for personalized pieces or sell your work in bulk to retail stores or other businesses for a wider reach and steady income.
Experienced resin artists can even create online classes and tutorials to teach others the technique and skills involved.
These are just a few examples of the many types of resin businesses you can start. The best idea for you will depend on your interests, skills, and resources. Have fun with this, and remember to be creative and think outside the box 🙂
How To Start Your Own Resin Art Business
Starting a resin art business can be a great way to turn your passion for art and resin into a profitable venture. However, knowing where to start and even what to consider when starting from scratch can be daunting.
We’ve compiled a list of the most important things to do when starting a resin art business to ease you into the process. These steps will also help make the goal of becoming a profitable resin artist seem more realistic, achievable, and less frightening.
8 Steps to Start Your Own Resin Art Business
Here are a few steps you can take to get your resin art business up and running:
Step #1 – Develop your Skills
Before you can start a resin business, you need to have a solid understanding of resin art and the skills necessary to create high-quality products for your clients. This may involve taking classes, reading books, or experimenting with different techniques.
It’s also important to keep up with the latest resin art trends and stay informed about new products and techniques. Practice working with resin as much as possible to perfect your technique and create a portfolio of your work to showcase to potential customers.
Step #2 – Research the Market
Researching the market is essential in your resin art business. Not only will it give you an idea of what types of resin art are popular, who your target market is, and what your competitors are charging for their work, but it will also help you to identify any gaps in the market.
Step #3 – Create a Business Plan
After you’ve mastered the skills and technique that goes into creating resin art and doing your homework on market research, it’s time to start planning your business.
Every business needs a business plan to direct the course of the business.
A business plan will help you outline your goals, identify your target market, and develop a marketing strategy.
This will also help you understand the costs of starting your business, such as materials and equipment, and how much you need to charge for your products. Consider your overhead costs, projected income, and how you fund your business.
Step #4 – Obtain Any Necessary Licenses and Permits
Check with your local government to determine what licenses and permits you will need to operate your business legally.
Step #5 – Get the Right Equipment and Materials
Starting a resin art business will require some investment in equipment and materials. Basic resin art materials include resin, pigments, molds, and tools such as cups, stir sticks, and gloves.
Depending on your products, you may also need additional equipment, such as heat guns and UV lamps. Do your research and invest in high-quality materials to ensure that your products are of a professional standard from the get-go.
Step #6 – Set Up Your Workspace
You will need a well-ventilated area to work with resin, which can give off fumes. You will also need a workspace to store and organize your supplies. This is especially important if you’re a mum and have young kids at home. Make sure these supplies are stored away safely and away from little fingers.
Step #7 – Build Your Brand
A strong brand is essential for any business, and your resin art business is no exception. Your brand should reflect your unique style and aesthetic and be consistent across all your marketing platforms.
From your logo and website to your business cards and social media profiles, your branding should reflect your personality and style and attract your target audience.
Step #8 – Market and Sell Your Products
Once your business is up and running, it’s essential to market your products effectively. Social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook are great ways to connect with potential customers, showcase your work, or offer promotions or sales.
Online marketplaces like Etsy or Amazon Handmade are also great options for reaching a wider audience. Note that most of these platforms will take a cut from your sales, so be sure to incorporate that into your selling price.
Setting up a website and social media accounts will help you promote your business and connect with potential customers.
Step #9 – Continuously Improve and Adapt
Starting a business is a continuous learning process. Monitor the market trends and customer feedback, and adapt your business accordingly.
Following these steps, you can start building a successful resin art business from home.
Starting a business takes time and effort, so be patient and persistent.
Also, allow yourself the time to figure things out and find your unique art style.
What Equipment Do I Need To Start My Own Resin Art Business?
Like all businesses, you’ll need some supplies to get started. To start creating resin art for your business, you will need the following materials:
- Resin: This is the star of the show, and you’ll want to make sure you have plenty of it on hand. Try different brands and types to find your favourite. Epoxy resin is the most popular choice among artists, thanks to its versatility.
- Mixing cups and stir sticks: You’ll use these to mix the resin and hardener together. Make sure they’re clean and dry to avoid any contamination. Consider using disposable cups and have a separate cup for each colour you plan to mix.
- Tools: You may need extra tools like plastic or silicone palette knives, heat guns, silicone moulds, and plastic wraps to shape and manipulate your resin art.
- Protective gear: Resin art can get messy, so put on some disposable gloves and a respirator mask to keep your skin and lungs safe from fumes.
- Pigments and other fun additions: To add colour and texture to your pieces, use pigments, inks, mica powders, glitters, and other materials. Including unique elements like these can set your art apart from others and make it truly special.
With these supplies in hand, you’re ready to dive into the world of resin art and start creating stunning pieces for your business.
How Much Does It Cost To Start a Successful Resin Art Business?
Starting a resin art business can be as affordable or as costly as you make it. If you’re just starting out, you might want to keep it simple and then expand as your business grows. Or you can start as a side hustle, work with a limited budget, and invest more as your profits increase.
The most significant expense when starting a resin art business will be the cost of materials like resin, pigments, and other additives. While buying resin in bulk can reduce the cost per unit, the initial investment can still be substantial.
Other overhead costs can include rent and utilities for your workspace, business licenses and permits, and a website to promote and sell your work.
Just remember that starting a business takes time and effort, and it may take a while to see significant returns on your investment. The key is to start small, focus on improving your skills, building your customer base, and gradually expanding your revenue streams.
Where Can I Sell My Resin Art?
There are many options for selling resin art. Online marketplaces such as Etsy, Amazon Handmade, Redbubble, Resin Creator Market, and Society6 are popular platforms for selling handmade items. These websites have a very large audience, reasonable fees and commissions, and an intuitive user interface.
Social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook can also be a great way to connect with potential customers and sell your work using appropriate shopping tags and links.
Your own website can also be a good option, which will give you more control over your brand and prices and allow you to showcase your work in a personalized way.
Then you have local art fairs and markets where you can sell your work in person. This can help you reach new customers and increase exposure for your brand. You can also reach out to local art galleries to display your work and reach a wider audience.
The right place to sell your work will depend on your goals, target market, and the type of art you create. We recommend using a variety of platforms to sell your work, as it helps to reach a wider audience and diversify your income streams.
Are You Ready To Start Your Own Resin Art Business?
Resin art is a versatile and durable medium that has gained immense popularity in recent years, providing endless possibilities for artists to showcase their unique styles and techniques. To ensure success, it is crucial to invest time and effort into improving your skills, marketing strategies, and persistence.
With determination and patience, you can turn your love for resin art into a thriving business. So why not take the leap and see where your artistic journey with resin will take you? And if you’ve started creating your own resin art, comment below and let us know what you’re making 🙂
Leandri Vermaak is a stay-at-home mum, freelance writer, and part-time resin artist. She left behind her career as a Chemical Engineer to become an artist and a writer. Leandri is passionate about parenthood and working from home to support her kids.