Have you ever wished to preserve the fleeting beauty of a delicate flower forever? The art of preserving flowers in resin is the perfect method for you. Create stunning and enchanting creations with our simple 7-step guide to preserving them with resin.
Choosing the right flowers is crucial in resin flower preservation. Different options suit varying needs and skills. Typically, there are three popular options when it comes to selecting dried flowers to mold into resin.
| Types of Flower in resin | Pros | Cons |
| Real dried flowers bought online
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| Artificial flowers
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| Your own Dried Flowers
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If you are a person who loves and believes in the meanings of the zodiac signs, you can choose the flowers that are suitable for your zodiac sign. Refer to the suggestions below to be able to create works of deep meaning and make a personal impression.
Notes:
To preserve flowers in resin, with the exception of flowers, you will need some basic tools and materials. Make sure you have the following tools ready before you begin.
To dry flowers before storing in resin, you need to prepare:
Epoxy, polyester, and UV resins are options with distinct pros and cons like curing time, clarity, durability, and cost.
You should research the properties and instructions of each type before choosing one that suits your needs. We recommend using a clear pourable casting resin that is designed for deep pours and has a low viscosity. Here is some information we give you about 3 popular resins used to preserve flowers.
| Resin Name | Pros | Cons | Price |
| Epoxy resin |
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$11/ 180ml
(with 180ml hardener) |
| UV resin |
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$15/300ml |
| Polyester resin |
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$6/1000ml |
2.3. Safety Equipment
To protect your own safety during the procedure, you should prepare:
To make your products more beautiful and glittering, you can prepare the following tools:
SUMMARY
| Materials | Notes |
| Flower Drying Tools |
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| Best Resin for Preserving Flowers |
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| Safety Equipment |
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| Others |
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When you decide to preserve natural flowers, you should start by drying them. However, if you choose to use artificial flowers, you can skip this step.
Before embarking on resin flower molding, it is very important to prune the stem. You need to ensure that the flowers have been separated from the stem in a regular and reasonable manner.
Next, you need to make sure they are completely dry and no longer wet before placing them in the mold. This is important to prevent decomposition or the creation of air bubbles in the plastic layer.
Here are a few ways you can use to dry flowers. Choose the method that best suits your needs, skills, and available materials.
Dry pressed flowers by book is the simplest and most popular method chosen by many people. For a beautiful product from this method, click and watch the video tutorial below.
Materials needed: flowers (preferably thin flowers), blotting paper, thick books.
Implementation steps:
| Pros | Cons |
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You want to dry the flowers and still keep the color fresh. Immediately save how to make dry flowers with simple silica through the video below.
Materials needed: a plastic container and silica gel.
Implementation steps:
| Pros | Cons |
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If you love simplicity and tradition then this is the perfect method for you. The type of flowers commonly used in this method are bouquets, roses and small flowers. What are you waiting for, do it now.
Materials needed: You just need to prepare your favorite bouquets and ropes
Implementation steps:
| Pros | Cons |
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You are looking forward to and want to create floral archival works in resin as quickly as possible. The method of drying flowers by microwave will meet your expectations. Check out the step-by-step video tutorial below.
Materials needed: flowers, a tray (or box), clear tape and a microwave oven
Implementation steps:
| Pros | Cons |
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Flowers are easy to burn |
Dry flowers with an iron, have you ever heard of this method? This is a simple, time-saving and efficient process. You do not know how to do it? The video below is the answer for you.
Materials needed: Flowers (you should choose flowers with thick petals because they are more resistant to heat), sheets of paper, and dry iron.
Implementation steps:
| Pros | Cons |
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After drying the flowers, protect them by applying a thin layer of clear glue or spray plastic. This safeguards the flowers from environmental factors and prevents undesired reactions when they come into contact with the resin. This preservation not only maintains their beauty but also ensures a stunning final result during the pouring process.
After the flowers have been dried, it's time to shape your creation. Depending on the purpose of use, the size of the flower, you can choose the appropriate mold. There are several types of molds used to mold flowers in plastic, including: silicone molds, hard plastic molds, metal molds, wooden molds... Usually silicone molds are the first choice when preserving flowers at home. Because this type of mold is easy to use, comes in many shapes and sizes, and is especially easy to remove.
It's time to fill your mold with pretty flowers. Be creative and express yourself in your work. However, you can consider creating a simple and easy-to-see layout. Besides, flowers after drying are very brittle and break easily, so you should use tweezers to gently place the flowers into the mold. Also, make sure there is enough space for each flower to avoid spoiling their original shape.
Take your time to adjust the layout until you are completely satisfied with the arrangement. Because the flowers will be preserved in resin and kept for a long time. Therefore, any regrets cannot change them.
Resin has two separate parts that need to be mixed together for the resin to work. These two components are the hardener and the resin. To prepare resin for molding, you need to read and follow the manufacturer's instructions carefully. Because each type of resin and each brand of resin can have different resin and hardener mixing ratios, as well as curing times.
You should use a separate cup to measure the resin and hardener ratio. Then, pour them into the same cup to mix. You should stir the mixture slowly and thoroughly with a wooden stick.
While mixing, you should make sure to scrape the sides and bottom of the mixing cup so that the two parts blend completely. Continue mixing until the mixture is transparent and free of air bubbles.
*Note:
When the resin is finished mixing, it's time to pour it into the mold. To mold flowers in resin in the best way, you need to pour a thin layer on the bottom of the mold first. Then you put the flowers into the plastic mold like the layout you just arranged. Next, you slowly pour in the plastic until the flowers are covered or the mold is full.
*Note: During the process of pouring resin, flowers may be displaced or tilted. You should use a wooden stick or tweezers to adjust them to the position you want.
Bubbles are one of the most common problems when working with resin, as they can damage the clarity and appearance of your product. To avoid foaming, you can take the following measures.
You have followed the above measures but still have air bubbles? Don't worry, we will show you how to remove it. You can use a heat source such as a hair dryer or butane torch to break up the bubbles that form on the surface of the plastic. You use heat to contact the places where bubbles appear. 2-4 seconds is the perfect time for each heat impact. You can repeat the process a few times until the air bubbles are gone. Note that the fire should not be too high to avoid burning the plastic or flowers. Additionally, you can also use a toothpick or skewer to poke bubbles stuck inside the plastic.
After pouring the resin into the mold, you should put it on a flat surface and let it dry naturally. The curing time will vary depending on the resin, but it is recommended that you leave it for at least 48 hours to ensure it is fully set.
Once the resin is fully cured, you can remove it from the mold carefully. You should gently peel off the silicone mold from the resin piece, or use a knife or a cutter to cut off the plastic or metal mold. You should also trim off any excess resin or rough edges with a pair of scissors or a sandpaper
Congratulations, you have successfully preserved your flowers in resin! You can now enjoy your beautiful and unique piece of art or décor. You can also polish, varnish, or paint your piece if you want to enhance its look. You can also turn your piece into jewelry, coasters, trays, lamps, or anything else you can imagine.
Preserving resin flowers can present challenges for beginners. That's why we've compiled 7 common issues and their solutions to help you create flawless resin flower art.
Problem: Using a mold that isn't suitable for resin.
Solution: You can use any mold that is compatible with resin, such as silicone molds, plastic molds, metal molds, or even household items like cups or bowls. However, silicone molds are the easiest to use and release, as they are flexible and non-stick. You should also choose a mold that is big enough to fit your flowers and has the shape that you want for your final product
Problem: The flowers are quite light and not fixed, they can easily float on the surface or move in position when pouring plastic into the mold.
Solutions: To solve that problem, you need to pay attention when pouring resin. Slowly and carefully pour the resin into the mold. If the flowers still move, you can use a wooden stick to adjust them to your desired position. Alternatively, you can pour a thin layer of plastic into the mold first and let it partially solidify. Then place your flowers in the mold and gently press them down on the resin. Once they are in place, pour the remaining resin on top. This helps hold the flowers in place.
Problem: Air bubbles can mar the clarity of your resin-encased flowers.
Solution: Pour the resin slowly and methodically, allowing it to flow evenly and release trapped air as it settles. You can also use a heat gun or a butane torch to gently and carefully pass over the resin's surface to encourage any remaining bubbles to rise and burst. Additionally, you should opt for a resin designed to minimize bubble formation for a smoother, bubble-free finish.
Problem: Discoloration is another common problem that can affect the beauty of your flowers in resin. This can happen for several reasons, such as oxidation, moisture, UV light, or chemical reactions.
Solution: To prevent discoloration, you should make sure that your flowers are completely dry and free of any moisture before casting them in resin. You should also coat them with a thin layer of clear glue or spray resin to seal them and prevent them from reacting with the resin. Additionally, you should choose a high-quality resin with UV stabilizer to prevent it from yellowing over time.
Problem: UV resin may remain tacky after curing
Solution: UV resin does not need to be mixed with a catalyst, it hardens by UV light. Therefore, you need to time the vulcanization appropriately to avoid it not completely curing and becoming sticky. Normally, UV resin only needs 5-10 minutes to completely cure under UV light. The stronger the UV source you use, the shorter the curing time will be. If you let it dry naturally in the sun, it will take longer, about 15-50 minutes, depending on weather conditions.
Problem: Resin might yellow over time, affecting the appearance of the preserved flowers.
Solution: To prevent this situation and protect the beauty of flowers preserved in resin, you can use UV-resistant resins such as polyurethane resin, UV resin, polycarbonate resin... You can also Coat your product with a UV blocker to avoid negative effects. In addition, ensure that the product is stored at the appropriate temperature and humidity to reduce the risk of oxidation and yellowing.
Problem: After pouring into the mold, the resin needs a long time to harden. During that time dust particles can be deposited on the resin surface.
Solution: Dust particles can reduce the quality and aesthetics of the product. Using a clean office or space with an air filtration system is a good condition to prevent dust and dirt. At the same time, you should use molds with lids or use dust covers to minimize the risk as much as possible.
Problem: Cracking is a problem that occurs when the resin shrinks or expands due to temperature changes or stress. This can cause your piece to crack or break apart. This can happen for several reasons, such as pouring too much resin at once, curing too fast, or exposing your piece to extreme temperatures.
Solution: Instead of pouring too much plastic at once, consider pouring in layers. You should allow each layer to partially dry before adding the next. Keeping your working environment at a stable temperature is also something you should do. You can also use a top coat to avoid bad weather conditions. These help manage shrinkage and expansion of the plastic and reduce the possibility of cracking.
When it comes to preserving flowers with resin, epoxy resin is often considered the best choice. Because epoxy resin has excellent transparency, low odor, durable and very strong. The resin is also UV resistant to help prevent yellowing and discolouration caused by prolonged exposure to the sun.
Yes, you should seal the flowers before adding them to the mold. Sealing the flower will help prevent air bubbles from forming and help the flower not be affected by the effect of the resin. It also gives better results.
Drying flowers with silica gel is the best way to dry flowers. Because it costs less and requires no engineering. With this method, you can preserve a whole flower stem and still retain the 3D shape and fresh color of the flower.
Yes. You need to dry it before storing the flowers in plastic. Because when any moisture is left, the flower will brown or rot in the resin.
Yes. Some flowers fade or fade when molded into plastic. Therefore you should seal them with glue, hairspray or plastic spray.
No. If you use fresh flowers to store in resin, the moisture of the flowers in the plastic cannot escape and will cause the flowers to rot.
You should pour a layer of resin on the bottom first to help fix the position of the flower. Then you should use tweezers to pick up each cotton and place it carefully into the plastic. Then you gradually pour in the resin until all the flowers are covered.
Yes. When the flower is not completely dried, it will turn brown in resin
Flowers preserved in resin can last for a considerable amount of time, often years or even decades if properly cared for and displayed. Its lifespan depends on the quality of the resin, drying and storage techniques as well as the display conditions of the finished product.
Preserving flowers in resin is not only an artistic process but also a way to capture natural beauty. It is also a fun and rewarding hobby that allows you to express your creativity. Flowers preserved in resin products can also be applied in many aspects of daily life. Don't hesitate, follow our guide and create your own products.
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