How Much Colourant to Add for Resin Casting: Practical Guide

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How Much Colourant Should I Use When Colouring Resin?

Getting the right amount of colourant is essential to make your resin creations vibrant and consistent. Too much or too little can affect the final look, so here’s how to approach colouring resin models for optimal results.

How Much Colourant Is Enough?

For most resin projects, a small amount goes a long way. As a rule of thumb, start with just a few drops of concentrated dye or paste per litre of resin. If you’re using high-coverage colourants like the Colourfun liquid colourants, even minimal amounts provide vibrant hues. Gradually add more if a deeper shade is needed, but avoid exceeding the manufacturer’s recommendations to prevent issues with curing or clarity.

Tips for Blending the Perfect Shade

Always mix your chosen colourant into the resin thoroughly before pouring. To achieve custom colours, blend small test batches and note your ratios. Adding colourant incrementally lets you control the transparency and intensity—ideal whether you’re aiming for a stained-glass effect or solid opaque finishes. Remember, lighter colours often require less pigment, while darker or more vivid tones may need extra drops.

When Precision Matters

Precise measurement is especially important for projects where colour consistency is crucial—such as matching sets or intricate cast details. If you’re working on a series, pre-mix a larger batch of coloured resin to maintain uniformity, or log your colourant amounts per volume for repeatability.

Related guides

What Do I Color Resin Models With

Getting the ratio right not only enhances your artwork, but also gives you the flexibility to create subtle washes or bold, eye-catching resin models. For more on choosing and blending colours, see our full guide: What do I colour resin models with?