A lot of artists, whether just starting out or years into their craft, look for creative ways to add color to their resin art. My first idea years ago was to use what I already had: jars of half-used acrylic paint. Tossing a few drops into clear resin feels like a natural step. The colors stay bold, the paint’s easy to find, and it costs less than high-end resin pigments. Problem solved, right?
Cracking open a bottle of UV resin and stirring in some acrylic paint can seem like magic. The mixture turns opaque, and the resin still cures under the UV lamp. But if you dig a little deeper, things start to fall apart, sometimes literally.
Acrylic paint is water-based. UV resin, on the other hand, comes from a chemical family that hates water. Adding water-based paint to resin often leads to cloudy or streaky results. Worse, the resin can cure unevenly. This can leave patches that turn sticky, gummy, or even fail to harden. Every artist I know who’s tried it ends up with weird textures or a cloudy finish sooner or later.
Ignoring the chemistry can lead to bigger problems. Projects left in sunlight may yellow or crack. The trapped moisture in acrylic paint sometimes creates bubbles or micro-cracks that grow over time. That little keychain or coaster you worked so hard on can end up ruined just months later.
On top of that, improper curing means there’s a real risk of incomplete polymerization. Uncured resin leaches chemicals. According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, uncured resins can cause skin irritation and allergic reactions. This risk climbs when artists use resin in ways manufacturers haven’t tested—or recommended.
I learned a hard lesson after making dozens of pieces only to watch them fail at a market stall a few weeks later. Those clean marble swirls turned yellow. Tiny cracks spread through pendants. Replacing them cost time and trust. You lose your customers once; it takes serious effort to win them back.
Art supplies exist for a reason. Companies spend years developing pigment powders and UV resin dyes that bond chemically with resin. These pigments are made to resist fading and cracking, and most keep that gloss for ages. Reputable craft suppliers run their own stability tests, and you won’t get a sticky mess halfway through a project.
People often fall into shortcuts because art supplies add up, but sticking with products designed for resin keeps frustration away. Sound advice? Use resin-specific pigments and dyes. Alcohol ink also works well for transparent effects, and companies publish compatibility guides.
For makers looking to save money, try buying pigments in small lots or splitting them with friends. Fewer failed pieces means less waste, and much more satisfaction every time you demold a project that actually stays looking good.
Mixing acrylic paint into UV resin might feel like a clever hack, but it rarely ends well. Artists care about the outcome and safety. Take a shortcut, and the flaws—clouding, cracking, and unsafe curing—become part of the story. Choose the right products, and your art becomes something that stands the test of time.
