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DIY Resin Tray Art Idea! (Easy Instructions Using EnviroTex Lite Resin)

I LOVE this QUICK and EASY DIY Resin Tray Art Idea using EnviroTex Lite resin and acrylic craft paints. With written instructions and video.

I LOVE This Easy DIY Resin Tray Idea

I’ve had crafting with resin on my to-do list for such a long time. But I have to admit, I was kind of scared. Mixing liquids together that magically harden into awesomeness had to be complicated, right?

Wrong! It was so easy, guys!

For this project, I followed the instructions for Envirotex Lite Resin. They were pretty simple really. Just be sure to read them completely before starting and have all of your supplies ready before you start mixing.

How to make a resin tray using EnviroTex Lite resin and acrylic paint. DIY Resin Tray Art Idea.

I Went With An Ebru Marbling Pattern

I love Ebru Marbling patterns on paper. You might have seen ebru marbling inside older books. Seems like they were always on the inside covers of Readers Digest when I was a kid.

I decided to use some of those ebru paper marbling design techniques to create a really cool pattern with this resin. Don’t worry, you can see exactly what I did by watching my YouTube video below.

When you watch the video, you’ll see that I created this DIY Resin Tray Art by dragging lines through the resin to recreate a popular marbling pattern. It’s one of my favorites!

AI Created example of paper with an Ebru Marbling pattern.
I used an AI image generator to make this example of papers with an Ebru Marbling pattern. Pretty, right?

DIY Resin Art Tray Video Guide

If any of the written steps below are confusing, watch this 4 minute video to see how I did it.

How I Made An Ebru Marbling Pattern In A DIY Resin Tray Using Envirotex Lite Resin & Acrylic Paint 👍

EnviroTex Lite Resin Tray Art Instructions

Time Needed for this DIY Project

You’ll need about 30 minutes for all of the mixing, pouring, designing, and blowing out bubbles.

Materials Needed

DIY Tip: Make sure you have multiple colors mixed around the tray to give the best result. And you want the resin to be about 1/4″ deep so that you can create a pattern.

How to make a resin tray using EnviroTex Lite resin and acrylic paint. DIY Resin Tray Art Idea.
Don’t forget to save how to make a resin tray with Envirotex Lite Resin and Acrylic Paints.

Step One – Prep

Get all of your materials ready and set up BEFORE opening the resin. Once you start mixing, there will be no time to find something or put drop cloths down. Also, have your straw and/or butane torch ready.

Step Two – Thin Coat Your Tray

You may need to put a thin coat of resin on your wood or tray before starting to prevent bubbles. Read the EnviroTex Lite resin instructions for more info about when you need a thin coat.

When in doubt, do that thin coating of resin and allow it to dry completely before starting this ebru marbling technique.

Spreading resin on a tray with a popsicle stick.

Step Three – Prep Your Paint Cups

I put about 1 tsp of each color of acrylic into it’s own cup before mixing the resin. I also had 1 clean popsicle stick ready for each cup, for mixing.

How-To Video and DIY instructions. See how I updated a boring tray with acrylic paints and envirotex lite resin. It's easier than it sounds.
I always test color ideas on scrap wood to make sure they look good together.

Step Four – Mix Your EnviroTex Lite Resin

It’s important to follow the directions that came with your resin. Envirotex Lite strongly states that the product should be mixed in a 50/50 ratio for it to harden properly.

I used the lines in my Solo cups as measuring lines to make sure each cup had the same amount.

Step Five – Add The Mixed Resin To The Paint Cups

After mixing the resin exactly as the directions say, pour some resin into each of the cups with the teaspoon of acrylic paint in it. Then mix each cup with it’s own clean stick.

Work quickly, but make sure to mix the acrylic into the resin completely.

Each cup holds 1 teaspoon of paint and some of the mixed resin.
Each cup holds 1 teaspoon of paint and some of the mixed resin.

Step Six – Start Pouring

Pour each of those cups out into a random pattern on the tray. You want a little bit of each color everywhere. I spread the white resin mix out first in the video, but that’s not necessary.

For this DIY Resin Tray idea, you could also just pour or drop circles of random color around.

Pouring EnviroTex lite resin mixed with acrylic paint in a random pattern for a DIY resin tray art idea.
I poured most of the colors in a random pattern. But, for the main color (teal), I made sure it was evenly spread around.

Step Seven – Tilt To Cover The Tray Bottom

Once you have poured out all of the resin, tilt the tray slightly to make sure the entire bottom of the tray is covered.

Tilting the tray to make sure the entire bottom of the tray is covered in resin.

Step Eight – Create The Marbling Pattern

Set the tray on a level surface and follow the dragging pattern above (shown in video), to create this ebru marbling design.

Using the pointy end of a paint brush to drag lines in the resin.

Step Nine – Use A Straw To Blow Out Bubbles

Once you have finished the pattern, use your straw to lightly blow on any tiny bubbles that may come to the surface for the next 10 minutes. You can also use a butane torch to lightly blow out the bubbles.

Don’t use a blow dryer, the heat will cause more bubbles. I had a butane torch that I couldn’t get to work when I was ready to blow out the bubbles. So, I recommend having a straw on hand, just in case.

Step Ten – Let It Dry

Once the resin stops bubbling, let it harden on that flat, level surface for the next 8 – 12 hours. It should fully cure in 72 hours.

How-To Video and DIY instructions. See how I updated a boring tray with acrylic paints and envirotex lite resin. It's easier than it sounds.
Here’s the finished tray from this DIY Resin Tray Makeover Tutorial

That’s it for this DIY Resin Tray Art tutorial. Good luck with your project!

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This Fun & Easy DIY Acrylic Pour Tutorial is a great way to make unique and low cost art. But, how about using that acrylic pour on drawers and furniture?! #AbbottsAtHome #AcrylicPaint #DIYHomeDecor #AcrylicPouring

Or this tutorial full of DIY Patina Metal Looks with Chalk Paint.

Build a DIY Chunky Wooden Frame for a canvas, print, or anything. You'll save money and get a custom size for your wall decor. #AbbottsAtHome #customframe #DIYframe
Loving the way this looks already. 🙂

I love this beautiful DIY Acrylic Paint Pouring Wall Art tutorial.

Make your own stunning art for less than $20 with this pretty DIY Paint Pouring Wall Art Idea & Tutorial. I love this DIY Art Project, guys! Anyone can do this. #AbbottsAtHome #WallArt #PaintPouring #PouringPaint #AcrylicPaint #DIYDecor

Feeling inspired? Follow this DIY Resin Tray Idea. Have fun and let me know if you have questions.

Shirley Robinson

Tuesday 10th of July 2018

Have you ever used the rison Pour-On on molds like the Prima Iron Orchid Decor Moulds? I have a couple of these molds and I want to use rison in them and after they dry, peel them out to glue on pots. Thank you very much.

Stephanie

Tuesday 10th of July 2018

I haven't tried molds with resin yet. But I know I've seen some bloggers do it. I say give it a try and have fun!

Maya Kuzman

Wednesday 1st of November 2017

Wow! I have never worked with resin! But looking at your projects makes me try it :) Mustn't forget to say your tray looks mesmerizing !

Stephanie

Wednesday 1st of November 2017

Oh, thanks so much!

Leanna

Monday 25th of September 2017

I have wanted to try and make things using resin in moulds. Pinning to use it as research. Thank you so much for sharing the step by step directions and video.

Stephanie

Tuesday 26th of September 2017

Thanks Leanna. I can't wait to try more ideas!

Jane

Wednesday 20th of September 2017

Turned out amazing! Can't believe this was your first try at it.

Christine @ www.rustic-refined.com

Wednesday 20th of September 2017

Very pretty! You made it look so easy anyone could try it.