Epoxy resin has become an increasingly popular material for creating decorative pieces, jewelry, crafts, and more. One of the great things about epoxy is that you can add pigments to color it, allowing you to create colorful works of art. There are two main types of pigments that can be used with epoxy – powdered pigments and liquid pigments. But which is better?
Both powdered and liquid pigments have their pros and cons when used with epoxy resin. Powdered pigments are easy to measure out and mix in, blend well with the epoxy, and create an evenly colored mixture. Liquid pigments provide very intense, vivid colors but can be messier to work with and may not blend as evenly through the epoxy.
In this article, we’ll compare powder and liquid pigments when used in epoxy resin, looking at the differences in:
- Color intensity
- Color consistency
- Ease of use
- Cost
We’ll also discuss types of projects each pigment works best for. By the end, you’ll know whether powder or liquid pigments are better for your specific epoxy resin art and DIY projects.
Color Intensity
One of the biggest differences between powder and liquid pigments is the intensity of the colors they produce in cured epoxy resin.
Liquid pigments contain very high concentrations of concentrated pigment particles suspended in a liquid carrier. This allows for extremely vivid, saturated colors. Just a couple drops of liquid pigment can create a bright pop of color in epoxy resin.
Powdered pigments tend to produce slightly more muted, pastel-like colors in epoxy. You need to use more powdered pigment to achieve similarly strong colors as you’d get with just a drop or two of liquid pigments. The colors from powdered pigments are still lovely, but they lack the “punch” that liquid pigments provide.
For example, a vibrant turquoise made with liquid pigments will appear bolder and richer than the same shade made from a powdered pigment. Reds, oranges, purples, and other intense colors pop more when made with concentrated liquid pigment formulations.
If you’re looking for colors that really stand out, liquid pigments are the way to go. For softer, more subtle colors, powdered pigments get the job done well.
Color Consistency
When working with pigments in epoxy resin, it’s important to achieve a consistent, even color throughout the epoxy mixture. Inconsistencies in color can create a blotchy, uneven look in the final cured piece.
Powdered pigments generally mix and blend with epoxy resin very evenly. As long as you mix the powder thoroughly into the epoxy, you’ll get a smooth, consistent color. The fine particles distribute uniformly through the epoxy as you mix and pour.
Liquid pigments can sometimes create inconsistencies in color if not mixed properly. Because they contain highly concentrated pigment particles, the colors may disperse unevenly through the epoxy resin if not mixed thoroughly. Mixing too vigorously can also introduce air bubbles into the epoxy.
With careful, gentle mixing, liquid pigments can blend evenly into epoxy. But it’s easier to achieve flawless color consistency with powdered pigments. For beginners especially, powdered pigments lead to fewer issues with color consistency.
Ease of Use
When comparing powder vs. liquid pigments for epoxy resin, ease of use is another important consideration.
Powdered pigments could not be simpler to work with. You can easily measure out the desired amount of powder, pour it directly into your epoxy resin, and stir to blend. There’s very little mess or cleanup. Any spills can be easily wiped up with a paper towel.
Liquid pigments take a bit more care and effort when working with them. You have to shake the bottles well before each use to disperse the pigment particles. To measure them out, most experts recommend transferring to a separate container like a shot glass to avoid contaminating the original bottle. Liquid pigments can stain surfaces, skin, and clothing, so you have to be meticulous during mixing and pouring. Any spills or drips require immediate cleanup.
For these reasons, powdered pigments tend to be preferable for epoxy resin beginners. There’s less potential for mistakes or messes when working with powders versus concentrated liquid pigments.
Cost Comparison
You’ll also discover a noticeable difference in cost when comparing powdered and liquid pigments for epoxy resin:
Powdered pigments – Powdered epoxy resin pigments cost approximately $5 to $10 for a jar containing 15 to 30 grams of powder. A little bit of powdered pigment goes a long way in epoxy, so these jars will last through many projects. This makes powder an affordable pigment option.
Liquid pigments – Liquid pigments come in small bottles, usually 0.5 to 1 ounce. Expect to pay $4 to $8 per bottle. While this may seem comparable to powdered pigments, you’ll go through liquid pigments much faster since they are used by the drop. For any sizable project, you may need multiple bottles of each desired color. Over time, liquid pigments become quite costly.
For hobbyists and those doing occasional small projects, liquid pigments may fit into their budget. But for serious artists and creators completing large pieces, powdered pigments are the more economical choice. A few jars of powder will last a very long time.
Best Uses for Each Pigment Type
Now that we’ve compared some of the main factors between powder and liquid pigments, let’s look at which types of epoxy resin projects each one works best for:
Powdered Pigments
- Large batches of colored epoxy – Powders blend easily into gallons of epoxy for large castings or coatings
- Subtle pastel colors – Create soft, light colors with powdered pigments
- Beginner creators – Powders are foolproof for those getting started with epoxy resin art
- Jewelry – Perfect for color pops on pendants, beads, and other small pieces
- Cost-effective projects – Use affordable powders for items being mass-produced or made to sell
Liquid Pigments
- Small batches of colored epoxy – A few drops of liquid pigments go a long way in smaller amounts of epoxy
- Vibrant, saturated colors – Liquids offer the strongest, boldest color effects
- Advanced creators – Those comfortable working with epoxy can handle mess-free mixing of liquids
- Accents and details – Allowing striking colors for details like faux flowers or tiny embedded objects
- Special unique pieces – Use pricier liquid pigments when creating high-end artworks and sculptures
Tips for Using Powder and Liquid Pigments
To get the best results from both powdered and liquid pigments, keep these tips in mind:
For powder:
- Use a scale for accurate measurements
- Mix into a small amount of epoxy first, then add to your full batch
- Mix very thoroughly into the epoxy to fully distribute the particles
- Add powder slowly to achieve the desired color intensity
For liquid:
- Shake bottles well before every use
- Use a disposable container like a shot glass to transfer pigment
- Mix by gently folding rather than heavy stirring to prevent bubbles
- Add drops slowly and mix well to test color before adding more
Always test your pigmented epoxy mix on a piece of scrap material before using it in your final project. This will allow you to perfect the color and consistency before potentially ruining a more expensive piece of art.
Final Thoughts
So should you use powder or liquid pigments in your epoxy resin projects? Here are some final takeaways to help you decide:
- Liquid pigments create extremely bold, vivid colors for smaller projects
- Powdered pigments are preferred for coloring large amounts of epoxy evenly
- Powders are simpler to work with and create less mess for beginners
- Liquid pigment bottles are more expensive over time compared to powdered pigment jars
- Both pigment types can produce beautiful, professional results with proper handling
Overall, it’s hard to declare one pigment type as clearly “better” than the other. Each has advantages that make them ideal for certain situations. Consider the specific project you’re working on, your skill level, budget, and the desired colors and effects. With smart choices between powder and liquid pigments, you can achieve perfect, vibrant colors in your epoxy resin art.
Conclusion
In summary, when deciding between powder and liquid pigments for coloring epoxy resin, there are tradeoffs to consider in terms of color intensity, consistency, ease of use, cost, and best applications. Liquid pigments offer bolder colors but can be trickier to work with. Powdered pigments provide subtle but consistent colors with minimal hassle. Beginners may prefer powders, while professionals appreciate liquids for vivid accents. Knowing when to choose each pigment type allows creators to produce stellar results across all varieties of epoxy projects.
