Starting an Epoxy Resin Business From Your Garage
Resin coasters, serving trays and small river tables fit nicely in a one-car garage. Epoxy does demand a warm room, patience, careful measuring and real attention to safety.
What You Need to Get Started
- Resin. Coating resins and deep-pour casting resins are different products. As of October 2026, ArtResin’s online store listed its art resin at $49 for a 32 oz kit and $119 for a 1-gallon kit, with larger industrial kits costing less per ounce.
- Molds. Silicone molds work for coasters and trays. River tables need a sealed form plus a resin rated for thick pours.
- Bubble control. A heat gun or small torch pops surface bubbles. Some makers add a pressure pot for small castings. Stay within its rated pressure.
- Basics. Graduated mixing cups, stir sticks, a level surface, plastic sheeting, sandpaper and safety gear.
Temperature, Humidity and Cure Times
ArtResin recommends keeping both the resin and the room at 75–85°F, with humidity around 50% and below 80%. Cold resin turns thick, cloudy and slow to cure, and a temperature drop during curing can leave dimples or an “orange peel” surface. In winter, plan on a space heater or insulated “hot box,” and warm the bottles before mixing.
Deep-pour resins work differently. TotalBoat’s data sheet for its Fathom deep-pour epoxy lists a 60–80°F working range, a maximum of 2 inches per pour for river tables, at least 48–72 hours before demolding and 5–7 days to full cure. Always follow the data sheet for the product you’re actually using.
Food-Safety Caveats
Some manufacturers say their cured resin meets FDA 21 CFR 175.300. ArtResin, for example, says its product is food safe “once cured.” Those claims depend on full cure and correct mixing and may not cover knife cuts or hot dishes. Don’t make food-safety claims for your own products that the manufacturer doesn’t make, and check product-labeling and liability questions locally or with a professional.
Safety in the Shop
Epoxy can cause skin sensitization, an allergic reaction that can worsen with repeated exposure. West System’s safety guidelines call for wearing gloves every time you handle epoxy and for good ventilation. If you can’t ventilate, they recommend a respirator with organic-vapor cartridges. For sanding, they recommend an N95-rated mask or better. They also warn that dust from partially cured epoxy raises the risk of sensitization, and full cure can take up to two weeks at room temperature. Read the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for every product you buy.
What Sells and How to Price It
Coaster sets, serving trays and boards are good starter products because they’re small, giftable and easy to ship. River tables involve more resin, more risk and higher stakes if a pour fails. To price a piece, add up the materials, a share of your consumables and your labor time. Then compare against similar handmade items locally and online.
Common Mistakes
- Guessing at mix ratios instead of measuring exactly
- Pouring in a cold garage and blaming the resin
- Pouring deeper than the product allows, which can overheat the resin
- Demolding or sanding too early
- Skipping gloves “just this once”
More on Garage Business Blueprint
- Making and Selling Cutting Boards From Your Garage
- Starting a Furniture Flipping Business From Your Garage
- Product Photos That Sell: A Simple Home Setup for Handmade Goods
