Confused about which resin to use? Complete breakdown of epoxy vs UV resin with pros, cons, use cases, and how to choose the right one for your projects.
The resin world has two main players: epoxy and UV resin. Both work, but they're dramatically different. Choosing wrong means frustration, wasted materials, and disappointing results.
Let me break down exactly how they differ and which one is right for your projects.
Epoxy resin is two-part chemistry. You mix resin + hardener, they react over 24-48 hours, and you get a solid piece.
UV resin is light-activated. You pour, expose to UV light, and it cures in minutes.
That one difference creates everything else that matters.
| Feature | Epoxy Resin | UV Resin |
|---|---|---|
| Cure Trigger | Chemical (mixing) | Light (UV exposure) |
| Components | Two parts (resin + hardener) | One part (pre-mixed) |
| Cure Time | 24-72 hours | 3-5 minutes per side |
| Equipment Cost | Low ($50-100 startup) | Higher ($150-300+ for UV lamp) |
| Material Cost | Low ($15-25/lb) | Higher ($30-50/lb) |
| Heat Generation | Yes (exothermic) | Minimal |
| Working Time | 30-60 minutes typically | Unlimited (until exposed to UV) |
| Shelf Life | 1-2 years when unopened | 6 months-1 year (light sensitive) |
| Odor | Strong chemical smell | Minimal odor |
| Uncharged Areas | Cure fully even in shadow | Stay liquid indefinitely in darkness |
| Bulk/Large Pours | Possible but requires technique | Very difficult (lamp doesn't reach center) |
| Best For | Coasters, jewelry, art, large pieces | Small detailed items, quick turnaround |
Two-part system where resin (bisphenol-A epoxy) reacts with hardener (amine). The reaction creates cross-linked polymer bonds, making the resin hard. This happens over 24-72 hours.
Single-part pre-mixed resin with photoinitiator (light-sensitive chemical). UV light activates the photoinitiator, triggering instant polymerization. Cure happens in minutes under light. In darkness, resin stays liquid forever.
This matters if you're scaling production. Let's compare making 100 coasters:
Winner: Epoxy by 2.7x. At scale, epoxy is dramatically cheaper per unit. This is why commercial resin operations use epoxy almost exclusively.
The epoxy cure time feels long when you're waiting. But realistically:
For a hobby, epoxy waiting is fine. For a business needing 10 orders/day, UV's speed is tempting. But epoxy batching actually achieves same speed: pour 50 items in batch, all cure together, satisfy 50 customers same day.
For 95% of people: epoxy is the better choice. Here's why:
When to consider UV: Only if you need fast turnaround on small detailed items AND you can afford the UV lamp investment.
Absolutely. Many crafters use both:
If you're serious about resin as a business, having both gives you flexibility. But if budget is limited, epoxy first.
Choose your resin and dive into our complete beginner guides. From setup to your first project, we've got you covered.
Start with Resin Crafting 101 →