How to create petri effect with resin
What is the petri effect?
The name petri effect comes from shapes that you might see in a petri dish under a microscope.
Using the petri effect with resin can create some really unique and fascinating pieces. You can use the petri effect for smaller projects like keyrings and jewellery pendants to larger things like coasters and dishes. It can take a little practice, but we will talk you through how its done.
What you’ll need to create a petri effect
- Epoxy resin
A medium viscosity resin is best for this type of project as it will be thick enough to hold your colour and shapes.
We use Apex Resin Fast Cure Resin from Just4youonline.
Get 15% off with code RESINFORBEGINNERS. - Measuring and mixing equipment
Check out our essential guide to resin equipment for the best advice on what to buy before starting to work with resin. - Toothpicks (Or similar)
- Coloured alcohol inks
We like to use a range of bright colours as they’re vibrant and create some amazing effects. - White alcohol ink
This is essential for creating those petri drops. We found the Octopus Fluids POMPOM to be the best ink for this job. - Silicone mould
This can range from being a cabochon mould for making jewellery pendants – like we’ve used here to silicone dish moulds. You don’t want your mould to have too much depth however or your effect will not be as easy to work with or see. The same goes if it is too thin too. Ideally 2-5cm deep is perfect.
How to create petri effect with resin
- Mix your resin as per your chosen brand’s instructions.
- Pour a small amount or resin in to your mould (so it’s about 2/3 full).
- Leave your resin for as long as your working time allows (usually around 20-30 minutes for fast cure resin).
- Drop in your alcohol ink. Do this one drop at a time. Don’t rush! The alcohol ink will spread so give it enough space to create the desired effect. You can use one or multiple colours.
TIP: Shake your ink really well before dropping in to your mould or it will be watery. - Drop in your sinker white in the middle of your alcohol ink colours. Again – make sure you shake it really well before use. Only add one drop at a time – a little goes a long way.
- Allow to settle for a few minutes.
- Take a small toothpick or similar and place in around 1/2 the depth of your resin then swirl slowly a small amount in to the desired pattern. Don’t be tempted to swirl too much or it can ruin the effect.
- Allow to cure. We used a heat mat for ours – see how to use a heat mat for resin.
- Once cured you can add your second layer. I chose to add black here as it adds a great contrast and brings out the colours. You can also leave a clear layer if you wish.
- Allow to fully cure and unmould.
@resinforbeginners Part 1 – Petri Resin – think my favourite thing to watch is the dancing of sinkers in resin with alcohol ink. I could play around with these all day 💙 Part 2 coming soon 👀 #asmr #resin #resinforbeginners #apexresin #epoxy #epoxyresin #resintutorials #resinart #resinartist #resinmold #resintutorial #resinpour #epoxypour #petri #petriresin #petriart ♬ Swirl – UnderPlanet
