Some days in the studio are about precision.
And some days are about curiosity, mess, and “what happens if I try this?”

Today was proudly the second kind.

I spent the day experimenting with UV resin and acrylic inks to create colorful, abstract necklace charms—and along the way, I learned a lot about flow, layering, timing, and letting the materials do some of the creative work for me.

If you’re curious about combining UV resin and acrylic inks, here’s a technique-focused breakdown of what worked, what surprised me, and what I’ll definitely do again.

Before we jump in, here’s what I had on the table:

• UV resin
•  UV lamp
• Acrylic inks (fluid, highly pigmented)
• Silicone molds (small charm shapes)
• Toothpicks or fine stir sticks
• Nitrile gloves
• Nonstick craft mat
• Jump rings & drill (for finishing)

💡 Tip: Acrylic inks behave differently than alcohol inks—don’t assume they’ll act the same in resin.

The biggest lesson right out of the gate?

Less resin, more control.

• Poured a thin base layer of UV resin into the mold
   
• Added just 1–2 drops of acrylic ink
   
• Gently swirled using a toothpick (not over-mixing!)
   
• Cured immediately
   

• Thin layers keep the ink from sinking or clumping
   
• UV resin cures fast, so you can “freeze” beautiful moments in the swirl
   
• Overworking the ink muddies the color—stop sooner than you think
   

This was my favorite discovery.

Instead of stirring, I tried dropping ink into resin and… doing nothing.

• The ink bloomed organically
   
• Soft edges formed without harsh lines
   
• The charm looked more painterly and natural 

🎨 Creative rule of thumb:
If it already looks good—don’t touch it.

Once the first layer cured, I added a second layer.

1. Cure the first layer fully
    
2. Add a clear or lightly tinted resin layer
    
3. Drop ink strategically (not everywhere)
    
4. Swirl lightly or tilt the mold
    
5. Cure again 

Layering creates visual depth, almost like floating color inside glass. This technique is perfect for necklace charms because the piece looks different from every angle.

Not all acrylic inks play nicely together.

• High-contrast colors (teal + white, black + gold, pink + indigo)
   
• One dominant color + one accent
   
• White ink for soft, cloudy effects
   

• Too many colors at once
   
• Thick or low-quality inks
   
• Mixing complementary colors too aggressively (hello, brown 😅)
   

• Cure between every layer
   
• Rotate the mold under the lamp to avoid soft spots or use a dual sided UV lamp
   
• If it’s tacky, add a thin clear coat and cure again
   

UV resin rewards patience—even though it pretends it doesn’t need it.

Once fully cured:

• De-mold carefully
   
• Drill holes if needed (go slow!)
   
• Add jump rings or bails
   
• Admire the tiny universe you just created ✨ 

 

This wasn’t about perfection—it was about paying attention.

UV resin and acrylic inks are a conversation. Sometimes the resin leads. Sometimes the ink does. The magic happens when you let go just enough to see what they want to become.

If you try this technique, expect surprises. Some pieces will be stunning. Some will be… learning experiences. Both are wins.

And honestly?
Those experimental pieces often become the most interesting charms of all.

Happy creating 💖