Why Resin Coasters Are Worth Making
Resin crafts have exploded in popularity — and pressed flower coasters sit at the perfect intersection of accessible and impressive. They make wonderful gifts, add a personal touch to any home, and give you a reason to actually preserve those beautiful flowers from your garden before they fade. Best of all, once you have the supplies, each set of four coasters costs very little to make.
Materials You'll Need
- Epoxy resin kit (two-part resin — look for a "clear casting resin" suitable for coasters)
- Silicone coaster moulds (round or square, 90–100mm diameter)
- Pressed and dried flowers (more on this below)
- Mixing cups and stir sticks (disposable plastic or silicone)
- Nitrile gloves — non-negotiable; resin is sticky and skin irritants
- A heat gun or lighter for popping air bubbles
- Isopropyl alcohol for cleanup
- Felt pads for the bottom of finished coasters
Step 1: Press and Dry Your Flowers
Flowers must be completely dry before they go into resin — any moisture will cloud the finished piece or cause the resin to cure improperly.
- Pick flowers at their peak — pansies, violas, daisies, lavender, and small ferns all work beautifully.
- Place them between two sheets of parchment paper, then sandwich inside a heavy book.
- Stack more books on top and leave for 2–4 weeks. Patience is key here.
- Alternatively, use a microwave flower press for results in under 2 minutes.
Step 2: First Resin Pour (Base Layer)
Mix your resin according to the kit's instructions — most are a 1:1 ratio of resin to hardener. Stir slowly for the recommended time (usually 3–5 minutes) to minimise bubbles. Pour a thin base layer — about 5mm — into each mould. Use a heat gun or lighter held 10cm above the surface to pop any bubbles. Allow this layer to cure until it's tacky but not liquid — usually 4–6 hours depending on the brand.
Step 3: Place Your Flowers
Once the base layer is tacky, gently arrange your pressed flowers face-down into each mould (they'll flip when the coaster is released). Use tweezers for precision. Brush a thin layer of fresh resin over the flowers with a paintbrush to seal them in place before the next pour.
Step 4: Top Pour
Mix a second batch of resin and pour over the flowers to fill the moulds. Tap the moulds gently on the table to release trapped air. Do your final bubble pass with the heat gun. Now comes the hardest part: leave them alone for 24–48 hours in a dust-free space to fully cure.
Step 5: Demould and Finish
Peel back the silicone mould gently — the coasters should pop out cleanly. If any edges are rough, sand lightly with 400-grit wet/dry sandpaper. Stick felt pads to the bottom to protect surfaces. That's it — you're done.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
| Problem | Likely Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Cloudy resin | Moisture in flowers or incomplete mixing | Ensure flowers are bone dry; mix resin longer |
| Sticky surface after curing | Wrong ratio of resin to hardener | Measure by weight, not volume for accuracy |
| Bubbles throughout | Mixing too vigorously | Stir slowly; use heat gun immediately after pouring |
Creative Variations to Try
- Add a few drops of alcohol ink to tint the resin in soft watercolour shades.
- Include gold leaf flakes alongside the flowers for a luxurious look.
- Try herbs (rosemary sprigs, mint leaves) alongside flowers for a kitchen-themed set.