How To Use Color-Shifting Pigment Powder in Resin

When doing a creative project, you want it to stand out. Using color-shifting pigment powder in your creative project is one way to make it do just that. Our color-shifting pigment powder is safe and non-toxic. So you can use it in any creative medium, including resin. Keep reading to learn how to use color-shifting pigment powder in resin.

What Is Color-Shifting Pigment Powder?

Color-shifting pigment powders are colorful mica powders that contain several colors. These different colors appear to the eye when you look at them at different angles or change the angle of the light. That means something covered in color-shifting pigment powder can look blue when admired from one angle and green from another. This creates a visually dynamic effect in your creative project.

How Can You Use Color-Shifting Pigments in Resin?

If your creative project uses a resin as a base, then adding color-shifting pigment powders can take it to the next level. There are two ways you can uses these powders with resin. You can dust the mold with the pigments before pouring your resin into the mold, or you can mix the powder into the resin before pouring it into the mold. You could use the pigment powder both ways or use two kinds of color-shifting pigment powder. But doing so could obscure some of the colors.

Dusting Tutorial

If you decide that you want the color-shifting powder to appear on the outside of your resin, then you can dust it onto your silicone mold. You’ll need several supplies before you can start this. These include:

• Protective cloth or paper
• Rubbing alcohol
• Cotton swabs
• Silicone mold(s)
• Brush appropriately sized for the mold
• Color-shifting pigment powder of choice

Start by covering your working area with a protective cloth or paper. This protects your work surface from any spilled powder and subsequent stains. Then, clean your silicone mold and place it flat on the surface. Open the bag of powder and dip your brush inside. Make sure to use a brush that can get into the crevices of your mold, if there are any. You can apply as much or as little powder as you want in any area of the mold that you want. If the powder gets in an area of the mold where you don’t want it to be, dip a cotton swab in rubbing alcohol and rub the area until all the powder is gone. Dry the area before continuing.

When using color-shifting pigment powder as a dusting, you don’t have to limit yourself to one powder. You can add different ones to different sections of the mold and blend them together when they meet using a clean brush. You can also leave the various powders in their own areas. While mixing multiple powders in resin could obscure some colors, dusting on top allows each powder to stand on its own, overlapping only if you make it do so.

Once you’ve added all the powder you want, you can then pour the resin into your silicone mold on top of the powder. Let it dry for the recommended time that the resin instructions give. This is probably between 24 to 48 hours. After this period, you can remove it from the mold.

Mixing Tutorial

If you’d rather mix your color-shifting powder into your resin so that it can change color no matter what side is up, then you’ll need some of the same supplies as the dusting tutorial and some extra. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Protective paper or cloth
• Silicone mold(s)
• Both resin parts
• Measuring cups
• Stirrer (we recommend using a popsicle stick)
• Small scoop or spoon
• Respirator mask
• Gloves
• Color-shifting pigment powder

Lay down the protective paper or cloth to cover your work surface. Clean your silicone mold and place it flat on the surface. Put on your gloves and respirator mask and pour the first part of your resin into your measuring cup. Use the recommended amount for the size of your mold. Measure the second part of your resin and pour it on top of the first. Mix from the bottom up with the stirrer for about two minutes, until both parts have combined together thoroughly. Then, scoop your desired amount of powder out of the bag and pour it into the resin mixture. Use the stirrer to mix the powder in, going from the bottom up and scrapping the sides so that it thoroughly blends. Pour the resin into the silicone mold and leave it to set for 24 to 48 hours.

If you want to add inclusions to the top of your mold, you can do so before leaving the resin to dry. While the color-shifting pigment will add visual dynamics, some people also like to add glitter, foil, and other elements to their piece’s bottom. These will appear at the top of the mold after you’ve poured the resin in. If you’ve used clear resin with light-colored powder, you should still be able to see the inclusions. But if you add color to the resin with the color-shifting powder, then it may obscure any inclusions you place on the bottom.

What Type of Resin Projects Can You Make With This Powder?

In both tutorials, we describe adding color-shifting pigment powder to a silicone mold before pouring resin in or in the resin itself. There are many silicone molds on the market that can allow you to do various projects, from coasters to faux gemstones. However, there are other kinds of resin projects you can make with color-shifting pigment powder that don’t require a mold.

If you want to make resin jewelry, you can buy jewelry bezels or jewelry blanks. These are metal frames you can fill with resin to make any jewelry design you want, from earrings to necklaces to bracelets. Some frames have closed backs, and some are open. Closed-back blanks function the same as silicone molds. To use an open back blank, you must place the frames on the sticky back of the tape to create a faux back for the frame until the resin dries. Since these are only frames, you won’t be able to dust them with powder. You can only use the color-shifting pigment powder by adding it to the resin, as in the mixing tutorial.

You can also add color-shifting pigment powder to resin before using it in woodworking projects, following the same instructions from the mixing tutorial. Depending on the type of woodworking project and where the resin is going, you may or may not need to use a mold. The resin could be inside the piece of wood, or you could construct a mold around the woodworking project to hold the resin.

Now you know how to use color-shifting pigment powder in resin. You can add this powder to any project that uses resin, from coasters to jewelry to woodworking. If you’re interested in using color-shifting pigment powder in any of these projects, peruse our selection of powders. We offer 22 color-shifting options that will be perfect for any project you undertake.