Hey fellow crafters,
One of the most repeating questions I get is: which resin or epoxy brand should I use? The product page says "crystal clear, professional grade, perfect for river tables" - and so does the one next to it. And the one after that. No wonder it's confusing.
This issue is dedicated to sorting it out - properly.
Today's Lineup:
1. This Week's Insight:
Picking the Right Epoxy Brand - Before You Ruin That Slab
I remember spending hours comparing brands before one of my first serious projects - a walnut slab I'd been saving for months. YouTube made it look simple. Reality? Pour depths vary wildly between products. Mixing ratios differ. Cure times can surprise you. Use the wrong formula and you waste the materials, the time, and the wood. (If you're not clear yet on what these parameters actually mean, Key Parameters of Epoxy Resin Explained is worth reading first.)
What matters more than technique is choosing the right epoxy for your specific project type. I've tested several brands hands-on and researched the rest through specs, community feedback, and manufacturer data. The 2026 brand guide is the result of that work. Here's the short version:
Key takeaways:
Match the product to the pour depth - coating resins are for surface applications only. Pour them deep and you'll get an exothermic reaction, cracking, or both. Deep pour resins (like Fathom or UltraClear Deep Pour) are engineered for 2"–6" layers. These are not interchangeable.
UV resistance is real - check it, don't assume it - non-UV-resistant resins yellow noticeably within months near any window. "UV resistant" in the marketing copy means nothing without independent evidence.
1:1 ratio = more beginner-friendly, 2:1 = more precise - 2:1 ratio products require measuring by weight, not volume. Get it wrong and the resin won't cure properly. If you're starting out, stick to 1:1 products like ArtResin, Craft Resin Art & Craft, or Alumilite Amazing Clear Cast.
"Low odour" means tolerable, not odorless - every resin releases fumes during cure. Craft Resin and Epodex are genuinely lower smell than most. None of them are something you want to cure in an unventilated room.
Where you are affects what's actually worth buying - EU brands (Artline, Epodex, Craft Resin) are the natural choice if you're based in Europe. If you're in North America, check shipping rates before ordering - costs vary significantly by brand and order size, and some brands now have US storefronts that change the equation.
Cheaper per kit often means more expensive per litre - small kits look affordable but add up fast on larger pours. For river tables, compare price per litre or per kg, not per kit.
My take:
No comparison guide replaces a test pour. I've read about resins that looked perfect on paper and performed poorly in practice - and vice versa. Use this guide to narrow the field, then let your own workshop make the final call.
📖 Continue reading: Best Epoxy Resin Brands for Home Decor Projects - 2026 Edition
2. Project Inspiration:
Crushed Semiprecious Stone Inlays
I've had two walnut slabs sitting in my workshop for several years. Moved them around more times than I'd like to admit - from one corner to another, always "saving them for the right project." Then I came across this bowl by another maker - walnut with crushed malachite inlay - and something clicked.
Crushed stone inlay works with several semiprecious stones: turquoise, lapis lazuli, tiger's eye, opal. Each brings something different. But that deep, banded green of malachite against dark walnut grain is unlike anything else. The contrast is what decided it for me. Yes, malachite dust is toxic and requires proper respiratory protection when sanding. Not stopping me.
Designer's perspective: malachite reads completely differently depending on light. Under warm overhead light the green goes almost black and the banding pulls back. In natural daylight the pattern opens up and the contrast with walnut sharpens dramatically. Position this kind of piece where it gets direct light - it earns it.
What's coming from my workshop
This bowl is the reference point, not the destination. What I'm planning is much more intricate: a set - coffee table, serving tray, and wall art - all carrying the same design language. Deep pour sections contrasted with crushed stone inlay - two very different techniques playing off each other across three pieces. Still finalising the details, but the walnut slabs have finally found their project. I'll keep you informed.
3. Materials & Tools Spotlight:
Every Major Epoxy Brand in One Place
We put together a full brand overview so you don't have to hunt across a dozen product pages. 14 brands, split by region - US/Canada and EU/UK - with what each one is actually best for and where Guild members can save. Here it is:
📖 Full entries with product details, specs and links: Every Major Epoxy Brand in One Place: The Complete Guide for Woodworkers and Makers
4. Quick Win of the Week:
Quick Sanding to a Semi-Matte Finish
Not every project needs a mirror polish. For pieces going into a kitchen, a workshop, or anywhere they'll be handled daily, a semi-matte finish is actually more practical - it hides light scratches, feels better to the touch, and takes a fraction of the time.
The real fix: sand to 400 grit, then finish with a 600 grit pass using light, even pressure. Stop there. The result is a smooth, consistent semi-matte that holds up well in use.
If you want to see exactly what this looks like in practice, I posted a quick demo on Instagram - worth 30 seconds of your time:
5. Shape the Guild:
Coming next week
Two things I'm excited about.
Reader Q&A issue - next week's entire issue is dedicated to your questions. Real workshop problems, honest answers, no topic off limits. If you have something you've been wondering about, reply to this email and I'll add it to the pile.
Guild Startup Challenge - if you're earlier on your resin journey, this one's for you. I'll be opening signups for the first-ever Guild challenge. From everyone who joins, I'll personally select 3 members to receive free 1:1 guidance on their project via an online call with me. Details next week - worth watching for.
This week's question - and I'm genuinely curious:
Which epoxy brand do you currently use most?
Petr
Resin Craft Guild
www.resincraftguild.com