Which Resin to Use For Fake Food Prop Making???

Types of Resin for Your Fake Food Prop Projects

When creating fake food props, the choice of resin can greatly affect the final appearance and durability of the project. Here are some common types of resin used in these projects:

1. Epoxy Resin

Epoxy resin is a versatile and popular choice for fake food props. It consists of mixing together equal parts of A and B as labeled on the containers. Part A is the resin and part B is the hardener. It's best to use a scale to measure both parts as using cups with markings on them may not always be accurate. I use this for many of my drinks and some sauces as well. You have a decent amount of "work time" with this resin, up to 1 hour before it really gets too thick to handle. General rule of thumb is to let this resin rest a bit before pouring, around 15-20 minutes is usually just right! Resting it allows for a lot of the air bubbles to disperse as well.

If your project pour is deeper than about 4 inches, it's recommended that you use the "Deep Pour" variety of Epoxy Resin, which has a different ratio for mixing so make sure you follow manufacturers instructions for perfect results!

You can use resin pigments to color your resin projects. Here in our studio we use alcohol inks, and resin pigments in both translucent and opaque. Occasionally we even use a bit of acrylic paint to achieve just the right color! If you're unsure of what colors to use, mix up small portions of resin and experiment with colors until you achieve just the right look for your project!

2. Casting Resin

Casting resin is another common option, usually comes in powder form that is mixed in a 3:1 ratio with water. It will dry white when cured in most cases. It is typically less expensive than epoxy resin. Casting resin can be used for a variety of fake food items. I love it for making realistic candy, petit fours and fake strawberries. This resin is quick to mix, (about 30 seconds) and quick to cure, demolding can occur in about 30-ish minutes in most cases. The best part is that this resin can be painted and accessorized! Some varieties are also non-toxic!

3. Fast Cure Resins

There are several fast cure resins to choose from that can be used for items ranging from drinks, sauces, syrups, gravies, jelly/jam and more! Some will begin to set up in as little as 10 minutes, others about one hour. There are still others that will begin to set up in about 4 hours. None of these, however, will be fully cured in that amount of time. Curing takes much longer with all resin types and can take days or weeks to fully cure, depending on the type of resin. Be sure to read and follow all directions no matter which resin type you're using.

4. Silicone Resin

Silicone resin is often used for making molds rather than the final product, but It can be used to create flexible food props. Once this resin product is cured it remains flexible and can be shaped with a knife or other cutting device. It can be colored with a resin colorant or acrylic paint before you cast it, or painted afterward, although it can be challenging! I mostly use this type for making molds!

5. UV Resin

UV resin comes in clear and it can be purchased in colors. You will need a UV light or lamp or some strong sunshine to cure this product. It works great for sealing items or doing small items. For example, I wanted to make some fake martinis with olives in them. I made the olives with air dry clay and painted them and let them dry for about a week. I used the UV resin to seal the olives completely, I actually used two coats to be sure! Then I made my martinis using the regular epoxy resin and was able to use my clay olives without issue!

PRACTICE SAFETY

Make sure you follow all safety recommendations from the r

esin manufacturers. Some types of resin can be dangerous. You should ALWAYS WEAR GLOVES, wear a mask and protect your surfaces and your clothing! Provide yourself with proper ventilation and pay attention to the temperature of your room for best results!

Conclusion

The choice of resin for fake food prop projects depends on the specific requirements of the project, including appearance, flexibility, and budget. Understanding the properties of each type of resin will help you make the best decision for your creative endeavors. Don't be afraid to ask other creators for advice. If you have any questions about using resins in fake food creation reach out to me and I'll do my very best to answer. If I don't know the answer I can ask others and pass the information along to you! We all share and learn from each other and that's what makes this creative community so wonderful!

Until next time, be creative, be safe, try new things, and learn something new every day!!