Introduction to Black Epoxy Resin

Black epoxy—you've probably seen the stunning pieces of art, furniture, and decorative items made from this versatile material. Whether it's a glossy tabletop or a stunning piece of jewelry, or even an epoxy floor, black epoxy resin has a universal appeal.

In this guide, we'll teach you how to easily make black epoxy resin yourself with Pigmently epoxy colorants.

Black epoxy resin is made with a two-component epoxy system, consisting of a resin and a hardener. When these two components are mixed together, they form a strong, durable, and high-gloss finish. The beauty of epoxy resin lies in its versatility – it can be colored, layered, and molded into different shapes and designs.

Here is where epoxy colorants come into play, helping you achieve the perfect black shade for your epoxy resin projects.

Understanding Epoxy Colorants

Epoxy colorants, as the name suggests, are used to add color to epoxy resin. These colorants come in the form of resin dyes and epoxy pigments. Either type has its own unique characteristics and uses.

Resin dye, for example, is a liquid colorant that's easy to mix with epoxy resin. It offers a wide range of vibrant colors, including black. Resin dyes provide the epoxy with a uniform, singular tone throughout the finish. This makes it perfect if you want it to look completely the same throughout.

Epoxy pigment, on the other hand, is a powder-based colorant that provides a textured, opaque look. It's ideal for projects that want a dynamic look with subtle or strong shimmering appearance. These pigments are typically made using mica powder, which is a ground mineral that provides a unique shimmering effect to the epoxy when mixed in.

Distinguishing Between Epoxy Dye and Epoxy Pigment

Before delving into the actual crafting process, it’s crucial to understand the difference between epoxy dye and epoxy pigment. As mentioned earlier, epoxy dye is a liquid colorant that evenly disperses to provide a single-toned finish. It starts off as translucent, and can become opaque as you add more of it to the resin.

On the other hand, epoxy pigment is powder-based, and will give the resin a textured appearance in whatever shade you've chosen. It's perfect for crafting eye-catching items, and is the more popular choice for making black epoxy resin.

Ultimately, the choice is up to project goals. Either type will produce black epoxy, so the decision is how translucent you want it, and whether you want it to be indistinct and uniform, or dynamic and eye-catching.

List of Black Epoxy Colorants by Pigmently

In our Pigmently store, you'll find several different shades of black. Each colorant is crafted from premium ingredients for a safe, high-quality hue that will never fade.

You can find out different black epoxy tones on the following pages:

• Dark Matter by Pigmently: This is the darkest epoxy pigment. Choose this when you want something that will absorb most light. It has a soft sheen.
• Asphalt Magic by Pigmently: This is a slightly less dark shade of black. Choose this if you want something with a more noticeable sheen and a lighter contrast to its surroundings.
• Deep Space Blue by Pigmently: This incredibly dark tone is black with a slight blue tint to it. It has a sparkling shimmer reminiscent of a night sky.
• Velvet Night Grey by Pigmently: If you're looking for something closer to a dark grey tone, this is the one you'll want.
• Black Resin Dye by Pigmently: This is our black resin dye. Choose this for a pure black tone that will disperse evenly into the epoxy resin without any shine or texture. This will give you a single, uniform tone.

Step-by-Step Guide to Crafting Perfect Black Epoxy with Pigmently Epoxy Colorants

Let's delve into the step-by-step process of crafting the perfect black epoxy using Pigmently epoxy colorants.

1. Prepare Your Workspace: Start by preparing your workspace. Cover the surface with a plastic sheet or newspaper to protect it from spills. Gather all your materials, including epoxy resin, hardener, black epoxy pigment, a mixing cup, and a stirring stick.
2. Mix the Epoxy Resin and Hardener: In a mixing cup, combine the epoxy resin and hardener according to the manufacturer's instructions. Mix thoroughly until the two components are fully combined.
3. Add the Black Epoxy Pigment: Add a small amount of black epoxy pigment to the mixed resin. Mix thoroughly until the pigment is fully incorporated. Add more pigment if needed to achieve the desired black color.
4. Pour the Mixture: Once the pigment is fully incorporated, pour the mixture into your mold or onto your surface. Use a heat gun to remove any air bubbles that may form.
5. Let it Cure: Allow the epoxy to cure according to the manufacturer's instructions. Once cured, you'll have a beautiful, high-gloss black epoxy piece that's sure to impress.

Common Mistakes When Using Black Pigment for Epoxy

Even with the best intentions, mistakes can happen when using black pigment for epoxy. Here are a few common mistakes and how to avoid them:

• Adding Too Much Pigment: Adding too much pigment can result in a thick, clumpy mixture that's difficult to pour. Always start with a small amount of pigment and gradually add more until you achieve the desired color.
• Not Mixing Thoroughly: Failing to mix the pigment and resin thoroughly can result in streaks or uneven color. Make sure to mix until the pigment is fully incorporated.
• Not Removing Air Bubbles: Air bubbles can ruin the smooth, glossy finish of your epoxy resin. Use a heat gun to remove any air bubbles that may form after pouring the resin.

Achieve the Perfect Black Epoxy with Pigmently

Crafting the perfect black epoxy is easier than it might seem. Whether you choose to use resin dye or epoxy pigments, it's just a few-steps process to attaining a great result.

Ready to get started? Head over to our Pigmently store and find the right pigment for your goals!