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Resin Art Glossary: Terms Every Beginner Should Know
Quick answer
Resin art has its own vocabulary — terms like 'cure,' 'demould,' 'amine blush,' and 'exotherm' come up constantly in tutorials and product labels. This glossary defines the essential ones in plain language so you can follow any resin art guide without getting stuck on jargon.
Based on hands-on resin work by practising Indian artists, written for someone starting from zero.
Essential Terms
- Cure — the chemical reaction where liquid resin and hardener harden into a stable solid
- Demould — removing a fully cured piece from its silicone mould
- Exotherm — the heat resin naturally generates while curing, which increases with pour thickness
- Amine blush — a hazy, tacky surface film caused by humidity reacting with certain hardeners during cure
- Deep pour resin — a formulation specifically designed for thick single pours without excess exotherm cracking
- Mica powder — a finely ground mineral pigment giving shimmer or pearlescent colour effects
- Pot life / working time — how long mixed resin stays liquid and workable before it starts to thicken
- Degassing — removing trapped air bubbles from resin, either through heat or a vacuum chamber
- Pigment paste — a concentrated, opaque colourant for solid, flat colour in resin
- Casting resin vs. coating resin — casting resin is for filling moulds and thicker pours; coating (or "art") resin is for thin, glossy top layers
Check which resin type a tutorial used
"Cure time" and technique advice can differ significantly between casting resin, coating resin, and deep-pour resin — always confirm before following a specific tutorial's timing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'pot life' mean in resin art?+
Pot life refers to how long mixed resin stays workable in its liquid state before it begins thickening — a shorter pot life means less time to pour and manipulate before it starts to set.
What's the difference between casting resin and coating (art) resin?+
Casting resin is formulated for filling moulds and thicker pours, while coating or art resin is designed for thin, glossy top-coat layers — using the wrong type for your project can cause cracking or an uneven finish.
What is 'exotherm' and why does it matter?+
Exotherm is the heat resin generates naturally as it cures; too much heat from a too-thick pour can cause cracking, which is why deep-pour resin and layering exist as solutions.
Is 'amine blush' the same as a failed cure?+
No — amine blush is a surface-level haze from humidity, distinct from a full ratio-error failure where the entire piece stays soft; see our tacky-resin troubleshooting guide for how to tell them apart.
What does 'degassing' mean, and do I need special equipment for it?+
Degassing means removing trapped air from resin; a heat gun or torch handles basic degassing for most beginner projects, while a vacuum chamber is a more advanced tool for professional-grade bubble-free results.