Resin Coasters, Ideas, Care and Prices for Handmade Sets

Resin coasters are drink mats made by pouring epoxy resin into a mould, often with colour, flowers, glitter or wood set inside. Each one is made by hand, so no two look quite the same. Makers can personalise them with initials, colours to match your room or flowers you want to keep, and a set usually takes one to three weeks.

What are handmade resin coasters?

A maker mixes a two-part epoxy resin, adds colour or other items, and pours it into a silicone mould. The resin cures into a hard, glossy disc or square. After curing, the maker sands and polishes the edges and often adds a backing so the coaster does not scratch your table.

You can read more about the craft on the resin casting page.

Resin coasters ideas

• Pressed flowers: small blooms suspended in clear resin, a popular gift for gardeners and mums.
• Wedding flowers preserved in resin: your bouquet or buttonhole flowers dried and set in a coaster as a keepsake.
• Initials and names: lettering or a monogram sealed inside, or added in vinyl or laser-cut shapes.
• Colours to match a room: ocean swirls, marble effects, geode looks, or soft pastels and metallics.
• Wood and resin coasters: slices or strips of wood combined with coloured or clear resin, giving a river-style look.
• Hobby and theme designs: birthstones, sea glass, shells, sports colours and favourite hues.
• Personalised resin coasters as gifts: dates, pets' names or a short message for weddings, anniversaries and housewarmings.

If a design includes a brand, logo, football club or character, makers need permission to reproduce someone else's artwork, so ask for an original design or supply your own.

Are epoxy resin coasters heat resistant?

This depends on the resin and the maker's process, so ask. Most epoxy resins soften when they get very hot, and a mug straight from the kettle can mark some coasters. Others cope better, and a few makers use resins sold as heat resistant.

Questions to ask the maker:

• Which resin do you use, and what temperature is it rated for?
• Is it suitable for hot mugs, or best for cold and warm drinks?
• Is the surface fully cured and sealed?

Until you know, use the coasters for cold and warm drinks and glasses, and keep mugs straight from the kettle on something else. Resin can also be a good fit for wine glasses, soft drinks and tumblers.

Care

• Wash by hand with warm water and a soft cloth.
• Dry with a soft towel.
• Keep out of the dishwasher, since heat and strong detergent can cloud the surface.
• Store flat away from direct sunlight, which can yellow some resins over time.
• Wipe up spills promptly, especially red wine and coffee, which can stain wood-and-resin pieces.

Follow any extra advice your maker gives, because finishes vary.

How long does it take?

Resin cures slowly. A typical coaster needs a day or more in the mould and then several more days to harden fully before it is sanded, polished and finished. Sets with layers, wood or embedded flowers take longer because each stage has to cure before the next. As a rough guide, allow one to three weeks for a set, and longer in busy seasons such as Christmas.

Commissioning flower preservation

If you want your wedding flowers or a memorial bouquet turned into coasters, timing matters. Flowers need to be dried or pressed first, which can take a few weeks, and then they are cast in resin.

• Contact the maker as early as you can, ideally before the event.
• Ask how they want the flowers delivered, and how quickly they need them.
• Ask how long the whole process takes, including drying.

Fresh flowers hold colour and shape better when the maker starts early, though results vary with the flowers, so ask what to expect.

Rough prices

Makers set their own prices. As a rough guide, a set of four plain or lightly decorated resin coasters often costs around £15 to £40, while custom sets with wood, flowers, lettering or complex pours often run from £30 to £80 or more. Price depends on:

• Size and number of coasters in the set
• Materials, such as wood, pigments, gold leaf or real flowers
• Complexity and how many layers are poured
• Time spent on drying, sanding and finishing
• Personalisation and design work
• Delivery and packaging

Questions people ask

Can I get a set with my own colours?

Yes. Send a photo of your room, a swatch or a colour name, and the maker can suggest pigments and effects.

Are resin coasters safe to put drinks on?

They suit everyday use with glasses and warm drinks. Check the resin's heat limit with the maker before putting very hot mugs on them, and wipe up spills.

Can I get coasters made from my wedding bouquet?

Many resin makers can do this. Ask about timings early, since flowers need drying before they are set in resin.

How many coasters are in a set?

Sets of four or six are common, but you can ask for any number.

Ready to commission a set? Post a free request with your colours, ideas and the date you need them by. You can also find a maker who does resin, and agree price, payment and delivery directly with them.