Which Epoxy Resin Should I Use? A Complete Guide to Choosing the Right Resin
Choosing the right epoxy resin can make all the difference to your finished creation. Whether you’re making beautiful tumblers, glossy coasters, statement artwork, delicate jewellery or a dramatic river table, using a resin designed for your project can help you achieve the best results.
But with so many different types of epoxy resin available, how do you know which one to choose?
At Apex Resin, we’ve developed specialist epoxy resin formulations for different applications because we know that one resin can’t suit every creation.
In this guide, we’ll explain the differences between our resins, what each one is designed for and how to choose the best option for your next project — so you can spend less time researching and more time creating.
How to Choose the Right Epoxy Resin for Your Project
Not all epoxy resins behave in the same way. Some are thicker and designed to stay on a surface, making them ideal for glossy top coats and doming. Others are thinner and flow easily around objects in a mould, making them more suitable for casting and deep-pour projects.
Understanding the differences in viscosity, working time, curing time and maximum pour depth will help you choose the right resin for your project.
There are several important things to consider when choosing a resin:
Viscosity: How thick or thin the resin is.
Working time: How long you have to mix, colour and apply the resin before it starts to cure.
Curing time: How long it takes to become touch dry and eventually fully cured.
Maximum pour depth: The recommended depth for a single pour.
Heat resistance: The temperature the cured resin is designed to withstand under the specified test conditions.
Understanding these differences makes it easier to find a resin that suits your technique and the project you have in mind.
Which epoxy resin is best for my project?
1. For beginners and general resin art: Apex Resin All Purpose
If you’re new to resin art and want a versatile product to experiment with, Apex Resin All Purpose is a great place to start.
Its lower viscosity makes it suitable for a variety of general resin projects, giving you the opportunity to explore different techniques and creations.
It’s a good option if you’re still discovering what you enjoy making and want a resin that can be used across a range of applications.
Best suited to: General resin art, suitable castings and a variety of craft projects.
2. For glossy top coats and doming: Apex Resin CurePro
Want a smooth, glossy finish that makes your artwork stand out?
Apex Resin CurePro has a thicker consistency that helps it remain on the surface of your project. This makes it particularly useful for top coats, doming and finishing applications where you want a beautiful, high-gloss appearance.
CurePro has an approximate working time of 2–3 hours and becomes touch dry in around 5–6 hours, depending on the conditions.
It’s a useful choice when you want time to work on your finish without using a deep-pour resin for a shallow coating.
Best suited to: Glossy top coats, artwork finishes, doming and smaller surface applications.
3. For faster results on smaller projects: Apex Resin CurePro Fast Set
If you love the finish of CurePro but need a quicker turnaround, CurePro Fast Set is designed for projects where a faster cure is beneficial.
It has a high viscosity and a working time of approximately 30 minutes, becoming touch dry in around 1–2 hours.
The shorter working time means you need to be prepared before mixing and work efficiently once your resin is ready.
Best suited to: Smaller projects, doming, tumblers and applications where a quicker turnaround is important.
4. For projects requiring higher heat resistance: Apex Resin Fast Cure
Heat resistance is an important consideration for projects such as coasters and other pieces that may encounter warmer objects.
Apex Resin Fast Cure offers a touch-dry time of approximately two hours and heat resistance up to 120°C.
It also has a maximum pour depth of 3cm, making it a different option from resins designed exclusively for shallow coatings.
Best suited to: Suitable resin art and casting projects where faster curing and higher heat resistance are priorities.
5. For river tables and deep castings: Apex Resin Deep Cast
Creating a river table, preserving flowers or casting objects in resin requires a formulation designed for deeper pours.
Apex Resin Deep Cast has a very low viscosity, allowing it to flow around embedded objects and into moulds. It is designed for deep casting applications, with a maximum pour depth of up to 30cm when used according to our instructions and recommended conditions.
Its working time is approximately 60–90 minutes, with a touch-dry time of around 16–24 hours.
Best suited to: River tables, deep castings, flower preservation and other suitable deep-pour applications.
6. For quick, small creations: Apex Resin UV
If you’re making small decorative pieces, jewellery or miniature creations, Apex Resin UV offers a different approach to traditional two-part epoxy resin.
It is designed to cure under a suitable UV light, with a fast cure time of approximately 2–4 minutes under the specified conditions!
Its maximum recommended pour depth is 4mm, so it is intended for thin applications rather than large castings.
Best suited to: Small crafts, jewellery details and thin resin applications compatible with UV curing.
7. For creating resin tumblers:
Creating beautiful resin tumblers is all about achieving a smooth, glossy finish while having enough working time to create your design. Whether you’re adding glitter, experimenting with alcohol inks, applying decals or creating intricate patterns, choosing the right resin can make all the difference.
At Apex Resin, we offer several options for tumbler making, including our specialist Quantum range and our versatile CurePro formulations. The best choice depends on your experience, your design and how quickly you want your resin to cure.
Apex Resin Quantum Regular – Best for Beginners and Intricate Designs
If you’re new to tumbler making or enjoy experimenting with colours, inks and decorative effects, Apex Resin Quantum Regular is an excellent choice.
Its very high viscosity helps it coat curved surfaces and cover decals, stickers and thicker vinyl, while its self-levelling properties help create a smooth, glossy finish.
With approximately 40 minutes of working time and a touch-dry time of 6–7 hours, Quantum Regular gives you more time to work on your design without feeling rushed.
Why choose Quantum Regular?
A longer working time for detailed designs and experimenting with colours.
A thick consistency suited to tumbler coatings.
A smooth, glossy finish.
Heat resistance rated up to 90°C.
We particularly recommend Quantum Regular for beginners who want time to perfect their technique.
Shop Apex Resin Quantum Regular Set
Apex Resin Quantum Fast Set – For a Quicker Turnaround
If you’re confident with your tumbler-making technique and want to speed up your workflow, Apex Resin Quantum Fast Set offers the same very high-viscosity approach with a much shorter working time.
It has approximately 20 minutes of working time and becomes touch dry in around 1–2 hours. This makes it useful when you want to move through projects more quickly, although you’ll need to have everything prepared before mixing.
Why choose Quantum Fast Set?
A shorter working time for experienced makers.
A thick consistency suited to tumbler coatings.
A glossy finish with good coverage over suitable decorative elements.
Heat resistance rated up to 90°C.
If you’re still learning, Quantum Regular may be the more comfortable option while you develop your technique.
Shop Apex Resin Quantum Fast Set
Apex Resin CurePro – For a Glossy, Glass-Like Finish
Apex Resin CurePro is another excellent option for tumbler making, particularly if you want a beautiful, high-gloss finish.
Its high-viscosity formulation offers controlled flow and good coverage over suitable decals, stickers and decorative details. CurePro is also designed to perform reliably across a range of room temperatures, making it a versatile choice for resin artists.
With approximately 2–3 hours of working time and a touch-dry time of 5–6 hours, CurePro gives you a longer working window than the Quantum range.
Why choose CurePro?
A smooth, self-levelling finish with a glass-like shine.
A longer working time for projects that benefit from more flexibility.
Good coverage over suitable decorative elements.
Heat resistance rated up to 90°C.
Reliable curing performance across a range of room temperatures.
CurePro is worth considering if you want a versatile resin for tumblers as well as other projects, including top coats, doming and resin artwork.
Apex Resin CurePro Fast Set – For Faster Curing and a Glossy Finish
If you love the finish of CurePro but want a faster turnaround, CurePro Fast Set is another option to consider for suitable tumbler projects.
It has a high-viscosity formulation, approximately 30 minutes of working time and a touch-dry time of 1–2 hours. This makes it useful when you want a glossy finish without waiting as long for the surface to become touch dry.
Why choose CurePro Fast Set?
A quicker touch-dry time than standard CurePro.
A high-viscosity formulation for controlled application.
A glossy finish for suitable tumbler and decorative projects.
Heat resistance rated up to 90°C.
The shorter working time means you’ll need to prepare your tumbler, tools and decorative materials in advance. Always allow the resin to reach its specified full-cure time before using or handling the finished item as intended.
Quick comparison: Which Apex Resin should you choose?
| Resin | Approx. working time | Approx. touch-dry time | Maximum pour depth |
|---|---|---|---|
| CurePro | 2–3 hours | 5–6 hours | 2.5cm |
| CurePro Fast Set | 30 mins | 1–2 hours | 0.5cm |
| All Purpose | 30 mins | 16–20 hours | 3cm |
| Fast Cure | 20–30 mins | 2 hours | 3cm |
| Deep Cast | 60–90 mins | 16–24 hours | 30cm |
| UV Resin | Unlimited | 2–4 mins under UV | 4mm |
| Quantum Regular | 40 mins | 6–7 hours | 0.5cm |
| Quantum Fast Set | 20 mins | 1–2 hours | 0.5cm |
Working and curing times can vary with temperature, the quantity mixed and other application conditions. Always check the individual product page and instructions before starting.
Can I use one resin for the main pour and another for the top coat?
Yes, you can use different Apex Resin formulations within the same project where the products and application are suitable.
For example, you might use one resin for the main artwork and then apply CurePro as a glossy top coat.
If the first layer has fully cured, the surface may need light sanding and cleaning to help the next layer adhere correctly. Follow the preparation instructions for the products you are using and always use a respirator if sanding resin.
We cannot guarantee compatibility between Apex Resin and epoxy resins from other brands.
Can I pour resin in layers?
Yes. Layering can be helpful when creating deeper pieces, embedding objects or adding design elements between pours.
If the previous layer has fully cured, lightly sand it using 120–240 grit sandpaper, remove the dust and clean the surface with isopropyl alcohol. Allow it to dry completely before pouring the next layer.
Always wear appropriate respiratory protection when sanding resin and follow the relevant safety guidance.
How much resin will I need?
Before ordering, calculate the amount of resin your project requires. The quantity depends on the length, width and depth of the area you want to fill or coat.
Use our Resin Coverage Calculator to help estimate the quantity needed for your project.
It’s worth checking the recommended maximum pour depth at the same time, particularly for larger castings.
Ready to find your perfect resin?
Choosing the right resin doesn’t have to be complicated. Start with what you’re making, consider the finish you want and think about how much working time you need.
At Apex Resin, our specialist formulations are designed for different applications, helping you find an option that suits your creative plans.
Still not sure which resin is right for you?
Visit our Which Resin Should I Choose? Guide to explore the options, or contact us for personalised advice.
Happy creating!
Oct 28, 2026
