How to Choose a Colorant for Epoxy Resin: Liquid Colorants, Transparent Dyes, Dry Pigments, and Alcohol Inks

Epoxy resin is naturally transparent, so colorants and pigments largely determine how the finished piece will look. You can achieve a dense, uniform color, preserve transparency and create a stained-glass effect, add pearlescent shimmer, metallic veins, neon shades, or the distinctive patterns of Petri Art.

Different colorants for epoxy resin behave in very different ways. For example, a transparent dye and an alcohol ink can both add color while preserving transparency, but they are designed for different purposes. Likewise, a regular pearlescent pigment and a floating metallic pigment may both come in dry powder form, yet they create completely different effects.

M | Art Studio offers several main groups of materials for coloring epoxy resin: professional highly pigmented liquid colorants, VITRAIL transparent dyes, different types of dry pigments, and Piñata Alcohol Inks.

Let’s look at how they differ and which option is best for your particular project.

First, decide what effect you want to achieve

This is the easiest way to choose a colorant.

Now let’s look at each group in more detail.

1. Highly pigmented liquid colorants for epoxy resin

This is one of the most versatile options for coloring epoxy resin.

M | Art Studio offers professional Italian liquid colorants in two formats: the original COLORFUN Deluxe line and Italian colorants bottled by M | Art Studio. Both are highly concentrated and can produce rich color using only a very small amount. The Italian colorants bottled by M | Art Studio are produced in Italy and packaged in Israel.

What effect do liquid colorants create?

The amount of colorant allows you to control the opacity and intensity of the color.

With a small amount, the resin may remain partially transparent. As more colorant is gradually added, the color becomes richer and more opaque.

This means that the same colorant can be used in very different ways, from subtle tinting to a deep, saturated color.

They are convenient for:

• coasters and trays;
• clocks;
• Resin Art paintings;
• geodes;
• marble effects;
• decorative pieces;
• jewelry;
• casting in silicone molds;
• creating a colored base for more complex artistic techniques.

How much liquid colorant should you add?

Because these colorants are highly concentrated, there is no need to add a large amount at once.

We recommend starting with 1-2 drops of colorant per 100 g of prepared epoxy mixture.

Mix thoroughly and evaluate the color. If the shade is not saturated enough, add the colorant one drop at a time, mixing well after each addition.

This is especially convenient for small projects: counting drops is much easier than trying to measure fractions of a percentage.

For COLORFUN, the manufacturer also recommends starting with a minimal amount. Because of its high concentration, just a few drops are enough to create noticeable color.

A very opaque color may require more colorant, but the principle remains the same: it is better to gradually add a few more drops than to add too much at once.

Why shouldn’t you add too much?

Colorant is an additional ingredient that is not part of the resin-to-hardener ratio calculated by the manufacturer.

Excessive amounts of any additional material can affect the curing process and the properties of the finished resin.

With concentrated colorants, there also comes a point where adding more product makes very little difference to the intensity of the color.

Can liquid colorants be mixed together?

Yes.

This is one of their advantages. You can mix several shades to create more complex custom colors.

For example:

• blue + a small amount of black for a deep navy blue;
• red + a little blue for a wine shade;
• white + your chosen color for a pastel version;
• several similar shades to create your own custom color.

If you want to reproduce the same shade later, record the amount of resin and the number of drops of each colorant used.

2. VITRAIL transparent dyes: when you want to preserve resin transparency

A completely different task arises when you want to color the resin while keeping it transparent.

This is where special transparent dyes are used.

M | Art Studio offers the VITRAIL transparent dye line, designed for transparent colored castings. Unlike a highly pigmented colorant, this type of product is not intended to create dense, opaque coverage. Its purpose is to tint clear epoxy resin.

The result resembles colored glass.

Light continues to pass through the finished piece, while elements inside remain clearly visible, including:

• dried flowers;
• decorative stones;
• metal leaf;
• glitter;
• various inclusions;
• other transparent layers.

Which projects are transparent dyes suitable for?

They work especially well for:

• jewelry;
• keychains;
• pendants;
• transparent coasters;
• decorative elements;
• castings with dried flowers;
• glass-like effects;
• crystals;
• transparent geodes;
• water effects;
• colored transparent layers.

For example, if you want to make a transparent blue casting with flowers inside, using a dense highly pigmented colorant makes little sense because it will begin to conceal the decorative elements. A transparent dye is the right choice here.

How much transparent dye should you use?

For light tinting, we also recommend working gradually.

Start with 1-2 drops of transparent dye per 100 g of prepared epoxy mixture.

Mix and evaluate the color. If necessary, add more one drop at a time.

It is important to consider the thickness of the finished piece. The same mixture will look much lighter in a thin coaster and considerably more saturated in a thick casting.

For this reason, do not try to make the color look excessively intense while it is still in the mixing cup. The finished piece may appear darker.

The manufacturer also specifies a maximum amount for VITRAIL that should not be exceeded in order to avoid interfering with resin curing. Therefore, if you need a particularly intense transparent color, always follow the instructions for the specific product.

Highly pigmented liquid colorant or transparent dye: what is the difference?

This is one of the most important questions when choosing a colorant.

Imagine that you need a blue color.

If you add a highly pigmented blue liquid colorant, increasing the amount will make the color progressively denser and more opaque.

If you use transparent blue VITRAIL, the resin will remain visually transparent while taking on a blue tint.

So rather than simply choosing a “blue colorant,” first ask yourself:

Do I need to be able to see through the finished piece?

If yes, choose a transparent dye.

If you need a saturated color and transparency is not the main goal, choose a highly pigmented liquid colorant.

3. Dry pigments: why they differ from liquid colorants

Dry pigments work differently.

In a liquid colorant, the color is already dispersed in a liquid medium. A powdered pigment consists of very fine particles that need to be distributed throughout the epoxy resin.

These particles make it possible to create effects that ordinary liquid colorants cannot produce:

• pearlescent shimmer;
• metallic shine;
• visual depth;
• color shifts;
• movement of color;
• neon effects;
• special decorative effects.

M | Art Studio offers several different types of dry pigments, so grouping all of them simply as “powder colorants” would be misleading.

Let’s look at them separately.

4. Pearlescent pigments

These are among the most versatile types of dry pigment.

They contain fine reflective particles that reflect light at different angles. As a result, the color appears deeper and changes depending on the lighting and viewing angle.

M | Art Studio offers several ranges of pearlescent pigments, including colored pearl mica pigments, Italian pearlescent pigments, and the Sahara line by ResinPro. The range includes dozens of shades, from white, gold and bronze to blue, green, violet, red and graphite.

What are pearlescent pigments best used for?

They are especially suitable for:

• coasters;
• trays;
• clocks;
• tables;
• jewelry;
• geodes;
• Resin Art paintings;
• mineral effects;
• marble effects;
• colored veins.

The main difference from a regular liquid colorant is that pigment adds not only color but also the play of light.

For example, a highly saturated blue liquid colorant will create a smooth, even blue.

A blue pearlescent pigment will reflect light and create a shimmering texture inside the resin.

How much dry pigment should you use?

Drops, of course, are not suitable for measuring dry pigments.

It is better to start with a small amount: approximately 0.5-0.8 g of pigment per 100 g of epoxy mixture, and then increase the intensity if necessary.

For a small batch of resin, this is literally just a small pinch.

Do not add a large amount of powder at once. Excess pigment does not necessarily make the color more attractive, but it can make the mixture considerably thicker and make it more difficult for air bubbles to escape.

5. Sahara pigments: not just color, but movement

The Sahara range deserves separate attention.

These pigments are based on pearlescent mica and provide rich color with a pronounced pearlescent effect. They work well in epoxy resin, decorative pieces, tables and Resin Art.

They are particularly interesting in clear resin, where the pigment particles create visible movement and depth.

Depending on the technique, you can create:

• soft pearlescent color shifts;
• cloud-like effects;
• swirls;
• veins;
• mineral-like effects;
• metallic movement inside the resin.

Sahara pigments are therefore especially interesting when the goal is not simply a uniform color, but the visible pattern created by the pigment inside the piece.

6. Floating metallic pigments: a special effect

Metallic pigments deserve their own section because they do not behave in the same way as ordinary pearlescent powders.

M | Art Studio offers metallic shades including Gold, Light Gold, Rich Gold, Silver and Bronze. When used with epoxy resin, these pigments can create a strong metallic shine and characteristic metallic veins. The product descriptions also recommend using heat to enhance the metallic effect.

The distinctive feature of a floating metallic pigment is the way its particles behave.

After being mixed with resin, the lightweight metallic particles tend to rise toward the surface. Instead of an even pearlescent appearance, this can create:

• bright metallic lines;
• gold or silver veins;
• mirror-like metallic shine;
• defined edges between colors;
• a “liquid metal” effect.

This is what distinguishes floating metallic pigments from ordinary pearlescent mica. Specialized floating pigments are designed so that their particles rise toward the surface and form more pronounced metallic accents.

How to work with a floating metallic pigment

Add a small amount of pigment to the prepared resin and mix gently.

To begin with, a small pinch per 50-100 g of resin is enough.

After pouring, you can carefully shape the pattern with a spatula, a stick, or airflow.

Passing a gas torch over the surface can help not only to remove bubbles but also to enhance the characteristic metallic shine.

It is important not to overheat the epoxy resin. Keep the torch moving continuously and never hold it in one place.

When should you choose a floating metallic pigment?

It can look especially effective in:

• geodes;
• abstract paintings;
• marble compositions;
• between two contrasting colors;
• along the edges of colored areas;
• trays and coasters;
• decorative panels.

If you want an even pearlescent color throughout the entire mixture, a regular pearl pigment or Sahara is usually a better choice.

If you want metallic lines and the visual movement of metal, choose a floating metallic pigment.

7. Dry neon pigments

Another separate category available at M | Art Studio is bright neon pigments.

They are designed to produce intense, clean, highly visible colors and can be used with epoxy resin and various artistic materials.

An important point:

a neon pigment does not mean that the finished piece will glow in the dark.

Neon pigment creates a very bright visual color under normal lighting, but it is not a phosphorescent material. This is specifically stated on the M | Art Studio product page.

Neon pigments work well for:

• jewelry;
• keychains;
• bright contemporary decor;
• abstract paintings;
• colored accents;
• unusual coasters and accessories.

8. Wave Effect: a pigment chosen for its effect, not simply its color

Not all pigments are intended for ordinary resin coloring.

A good example is Pigment Wave Effect.

This is a special pigmented additive based on titanium dioxide, designed to create white cells and the appearance of sea foam in Resin Art.

In other words, choosing Wave Effect simply because you need a white color would be incorrect.

If you need ordinary opaque white resin, a white liquid colorant is a better choice.

If you want spreading white cells, lace-like patterns and realistic sea foam, Wave Effect is the right product.

How to use Wave Effect

The technique differs from ordinary coloring.

First, mix the pigment thoroughly with the epoxy resin, carefully working it into the mixture so that no lumps remain.

Apply the colored mixture in thin lines and use a hair dryer to blow it out and form the wave.

For Wave Effect, the manufacturer recommends using no more than 3-5% pigment by resin weight and specifically recommends Art Pro Deluxe epoxy resin for a more pronounced effect.

This is a good example of why it is always important to read the instructions for a specific specialty pigment.

9. Piñata Alcohol Inks: when movement matters as much as color

Alcohol inks should not be treated as just another type of ordinary liquid colorant.

M | Art Studio offers the professional Piñata range. These alcohol inks are suitable for different non-porous surfaces, including epoxy resin, and can create effects that are difficult to achieve with an ordinary liquid colorant.

They can be used for:

• Petri Art;
• semi-transparent coloring;
• colored patterns;
• abstract effects;
• organic color transitions.

However, the best-known use of Piñata in epoxy resin is the Petri Art technique.

10. How alcohol inks work in Petri Art

For classic Petri Art, simply mixing colored alcohol ink into resin is not enough.

The colored drops are applied to the surface of already poured clear epoxy resin.

A special white Piñata color is then used.

The basic process is:

1. Place one drop of colored Piñata on the resin surface.
2. Add one drop of white Piñata on top.
3. Repeat with another color or in another area.
4. The white pigment begins to move down through the resin, pulling the color with it.
5. Characteristic strands, tendrils and cloud-like shapes form inside the resin.

The Piñata product listings at M | Art Studio specifically note that white ink from the same line is required for Petri Art and is applied after the colored drop. Without the white ink, the characteristic Petri effect will not form.

For this reason, the amount here is measured in drops, not percentages.

A good starting principle is:

1 drop of colored alcohol ink + 1 drop of white.

You can then gradually make the pattern more complex.

Do not immediately cover the entire surface with dozens of drops. Excess alcohol ink can make the design look muddy, and too much alcohol ink in a small casting may also affect proper curing of the upper layer.

VITRAIL transparent dye or Piñata Alcohol Ink?

These materials are sometimes confused because both can produce transparent or semi-transparent color.

However, their purposes are different.

VITRAIL

Choose it when you want to color the entire clear resin mixture evenly.

For example:

a transparent blue coaster, a transparent pink pendant, or a colored transparent casting containing dried flowers.

Piñata

Choose it when you want the color to move and form a visible pattern.

For example:

Petri Art, colored clouds, unusual transitions or abstract patterns.

For a simple, evenly colored transparent casting, a specialized transparent dye is generally easier and more predictable.

Liquid colorant or dry pigment?

The same principle applies here.

Highly pigmented liquid colorant

Choose it if you need:

• a clean, even color;
• dense coloring;
• no pearlescent effect;
• easy mixing of custom shades;
• repeatable results.

Dry pigment

Choose it if you need:

• pearlescent color shifts;
• shine;
• visual texture;
• movement of particles;
• a metallic effect;
• neon color;
• special artistic effects.

Sometimes the best result comes from combining both materials.

For example, you can create a dark blue base using a liquid colorant and add a small amount of blue or gold pearlescent pigment for extra depth.

Can different types of colorants and pigments be combined?

Yes.

Combining materials often makes it possible to create some of the most interesting effects.

Liquid colorant + Sahara

A saturated base color with pronounced pearlescent movement.

Liquid colorant + floating metallic pigment

A dense colored base with bright metallic veins.

Transparent dye + pearlescent pigment

Colored transparency with a subtle shimmer.

Several shades of dry pigment

Suitable for complex transitions and mineral-like effects.

Keep in mind that the more different additives you use at the same time, the more carefully you need to control their total amount.

When should colorant be added to epoxy resin?

For most standard projects, first prepare the epoxy mixture correctly.

1. Measure Component A accurately.
2. Measure Component B accurately.
3. Mix the components thoroughly according to the instructions for your epoxy resin.
4. Only after obtaining a homogeneous mixture, add the chosen colorant or pigment.
5. Mix thoroughly again.

This is the procedure recommended in M | Art Studio’s general instructions for working with epoxy resin.

If you need several colors, divide the fully mixed resin into smaller cups and then add a different colorant to each portion.

Some specialty products are exceptions and require a different method. For example, Wave Effect is first mixed with Component A.

Why does dry pigment sometimes form lumps?

This is a common issue for beginners.

Dry powder must be distributed very thoroughly throughout the resin.

If you add a large amount of pigment directly to a large cup of resin, small lumps of dry powder may remain.

There is a simple technique that can help.

Separate a small amount of resin into a small cup, add the pigment, and work it thoroughly into this small portion. Once the mixture is smooth, combine it with the rest of the resin you want to color.

This method is especially useful for rich pearlescent and metallic shades.

How epoxy resin viscosity affects pigment behavior

Colorant and epoxy resin should not be considered completely separately from each other.

This is especially important in artistic techniques.

In very fluid resin:

• colors spread more quickly;
• boundaries blend faster;
• patterns are more difficult to control;
• pigment particles move more actively.

In more viscous resin:

• lines are easier to preserve;
• transitions are easier to control;
• the pattern stays in place longer;
• it is easier to create marble, ocean and abstract compositions.

Sometimes the problem is not that you chose the “wrong pigment,” but that the epoxy resin being used does not have the right viscosity for the desired effect.

How to choose a colorant for a specific project

Jewelry, pendants and keychains

If you want to preserve transparency:

VITRAIL.

If you need a saturated opaque color:

highly pigmented liquid colorant.

If you want a pearlescent effect:

dry pearl pigment or Sahara.

For an unusual pattern inside a transparent casting:

Piñata Petri Art.

Pieces with dried flowers

If the flowers need to remain clearly visible, it is better to use:

clear resin without colorant or a small amount of VITRAIL.

A dense color may hide the dried flowers.

Coasters and trays

Almost all options can work here.

For an even color:

liquid colorant.

For a transparent colored piece:

VITRAIL.

For a pearlescent pattern:

Sahara or other pearl pigments.

For gold, silver or bronze lines:

floating metallic pigments.

For Petri Art:

Piñata.

Geodes and stone effects

This is where combining several materials can be particularly interesting:

• highly pigmented liquid colorant;
• Sahara;
• pearlescent pigments;
• floating metallic pigments;
• transparent areas.

Combining different types of coloring is what helps create the sense of depth found in natural minerals.

Resin Art and abstract paintings

For dense colored areas:

liquid colorants.

For movement and pearlescence:

Sahara.

For metallic veins:

floating metallic pigments.

Ocean Art

For blue and turquoise base areas you can use:

• liquid colorants;
• transparent dyes;
• pearlescent pigments.

To create white foam:

Wave Effect.

Bright contemporary pieces

If you need a truly intense, bright shade:

dry neon pigments.

Can acrylic paint, gouache or food coloring be used in epoxy resin?

For reliable results, it is better to use colorants specifically designed for epoxy resin.

Water-based colorants are particularly undesirable.

Water can interfere with the normal polymerization process of an epoxy system and may lead to:

• cloudiness;
• stickiness;
• an uneven surface;
• poor curing;
• other defects.

M | Art Studio’s instructions also recommend using specialized colorants and pigments and avoiding water-based colorants.

An experiment using an unsuitable paint may sometimes appear to “work” visually, but this does not mean that the cured epoxy resin has retained the properties intended by the manufacturer.

The most common mistakes when coloring epoxy resin

Adding too much liquid colorant at once

Highly pigmented colorants are very concentrated.

Start with 1-2 drops per 100 g of resin and gradually increase the intensity.

Choosing a colorant based only on its color

Decide on the desired effect first.

Red VITRAIL, a red liquid colorant and a red pearlescent pigment will produce three completely different results.

Confusing transparent dye with alcohol ink

VITRAIL is more convenient for uniform transparent coloring.

Piñata is intended for Petri Art and artistic movement of color.

Adding too much dry pigment

Pigment can make the resin too thick and difficult to work with.

Start with a small amount.

Not mixing powder thoroughly enough

Dry lumps may remain visible in the finished piece.

Assuming every metallic pigment is a floating pigment

These are different products.

Ordinary pearlescent mica is distributed throughout the resin, while a specialized floating metallic pigment tends to rise toward the surface, creating more pronounced lines and metallic accents.

Using Wave Effect as an ordinary white colorant

It is a specialized additive designed to create cells and sea foam.

Trying to create Petri Art without white Piñata

Colored alcohol inks alone will not create the classic Petri effect. A special white color is required.

Why it is better to make a test before a large project

Even when you have selected the correct type of colorant, a small test casting is always useful.

The final color is affected by:

• the thickness of the piece;
• the amount of colorant;
• the type of epoxy resin;
• viscosity;
• the color of the base;
• lighting;
• other pigments;
• the casting technique.

Thickness has an especially strong effect on transparent dyes.

Two drops of VITRAIL may look very delicate in a thin piece and significantly darker in a thick casting.

The same applies to pearlescent pigments: the depth and direction of reflected light change depending on the thickness of the layer.

If the exact color matters, record:

• the amount of epoxy mixture;
• the name of the colorant;
• the number of drops or weight of pigment;
• any additional shades used.

This will make it much easier to reproduce a color you like.

Quick guide: which epoxy resin colorant should you choose?

If you need a saturated, even color, choose a professional highly pigmented liquid colorant.

If you want to color the resin while preserving transparency, choose VITRAIL.

If you want pearlescence and a play of light, choose a dry pearl pigment.

If you want pronounced pearlescent shifts and visible pigment movement, consider Sahara.

If you want bright gold, silver or bronze lines and a metallic effect on the surface, choose floating metallic pigments.

If you want a bright neon color, choose Neon Pigment.

If you are creating sea foam, use Wave Effect.

If you want to create Petri Art, you will need colored Piñata Alcohol Inks and white Piñata.

What is the best colorant for epoxy resin?

There is no single “best” colorant for every project.

It all depends on the result you want to achieve.

Highly pigmented liquid colorants are convenient for clean, saturated color. Transparent dyes preserve the depth and transparency of epoxy resin. Dry pigments create pearlescent, neon and metallic effects. Floating metallic pigments form distinctive metallic veins and accents. Alcohol inks make it possible to create Petri Art and free movement of color inside clear resin.

Before buying, simply ask yourself a few questions:

Do I need to preserve the transparency of the resin?

Do I want an even color or a visible pigment pattern?

Do I want a regular color, pearlescence, metallic shine or neon?

Do I need a special effect such as Petri Art or sea foam?

Once you answer these questions, choosing the right material becomes much easier.

M | Art Studio offers professional materials for all of these tasks: highly pigmented COLORFUN Deluxe liquid colorants and Italian colorants bottled by M | Art Studio, VITRAIL transparent dyes, several ranges of pearlescent and specialty dry pigments, including floating metallic pigments, and professional Piñata Alcohol Inks.

The main rule when working with any new colorant is simple: start with the smallest amount, build the color gradually, and before beginning a large project, always test the combination of your chosen colorant and epoxy resin on a small sample.