Workspace and Materials Preparation

Before working with resin, arrange all your materials within arm’s reach. Lay down protective coverings and ensure your area is well ventilated. Wear gloves and eye protection at all times to safeguard against accidental splashes or contact with resin compounds. Organising tools and managing cleanliness will help prevent interruptions and unwanted dust in your finished casting.

Step 1: Prepare and Preserve the Fish

Getting the preservation right is the most critical aspect of embedding a biological specimen. Thoroughly dry and preserve the fish first, as any trapped moisture can cause decay, discoloration, or bubbles in the resin. Specialist methods, such as freeze-drying or desiccant baths, work best for larger specimens. Select a fish free of surface damage and remove all internal organs if possible. Dry with salt, silica gel, or drying agents for several days to weeks depending on size.

Confirm your fish is odourless and completely free from internal moisture before proceeding. Handle with gloves to avoid skin oils contaminating the surface.

Step 3: Mix and Pour the Resin in Layers

Choose a suitable resin for your project depth. For deep displays with a large specimen, Epoxytable 10-Ten – Deep Pour Epoxy Resin for Tables, Up to 10cm Casting offers excellent clarity and minimises exothermic heat, crucial for thicker pours. Smaller castings may use “EpoxyTable 5-Five” or “Trasparente” for thin layers. Choose your resin layer depth for clarity and safety—never pour a single layer thicker than the product’s maximum specification (usually 2–10cm, depending on resin type and total volume).

Mix according to manufacturer instructions, ensuring a slow, careful blend to avoid air bubbles. Pour a thin base layer of resin first and allow it to partially cure—this prevents the fish from settling all the way to the mould base. Gently place the fish on the tacky resin, then slowly pour additional resin to encase the specimen.

Pour resin in multiple stages if thickness exceeds product guidelines. Allow each layer to reach partial cure before adding the next, reducing heat build-up and preventing bubble formation.

Step 5: Demould and Finish the Display

Once completely cured, gently remove the resin block from the mould. If edges are uneven or dull, sand through progressively finer grits (beginning with 400 and advancing to 2000 or finer). Use polishing compound or pads to restore a glass-like finish. Any surface tackiness indicates incomplete curing—allow more time if needed before handling.

Clean your finished project with a soft cloth. For a final professional touch, consider mounting the resin block on a stand or integrating it into a larger art or trophy piece.

Advanced Resin Embedding Examples

Professionals often experiment with multi-layer embedding, coloured pigments or natural backgrounds for enhanced artistic effect. Practice with smaller objects before attempting larger specimens to master bubble removal and clean finishes. Review product-specific instructions for the best optical clarity and maximum casting depth, especially when displaying irregular objects like fish.