Step by Step Tutorial to create a Colorful Resin-Coated Tray & Matching Coasters
Learn how to turn an everyday shelf and ceramic tiles into a bold Pop-Art tray and coasters this easy DIY resin project. Using acrylic paint, glitter and a glossy coat of resin, you'll create a colorful, functional set that's sure to brighten any space!
Tallahassee, Florida artist Quia Atkinson is known for both her bright candy-colored artwork and her luxe metallic palettes. She works primarily with acrylics for their vibrant color and loves how resin brings her work to life with a glossy, professional finish.
In today's blog, Quia shares how to create a matching tray and coaster set that's as fun to create as it is to use!
Let's get started.
✅ VIDEO ✅
Materials You'll Need
• Wood or MDF Shelf – Quia used a 12 x 24" shelf from Home Depot
• Porcelain tiles - Quia used 4 x 4 square tiles from Home Depot
• Black handles x 2
• Acrylic paint in your favorite palette – Quia chose a neon palette in pink, orange, yellow, green, blue and teal, balanced with beige and black
• Deco Color Premium Paint Pens - in gold and silver
• Glitterific Hologram Glitter Paint - Quia used clear and green
• Assorted Paintbrushes
• Recollections Fine Iridescent Glitter
• ArtResin
• Disposable gloves – for safe handling
• Measuring container - Quia used 2 disposable plastic cups
• Stir stick, spreader, and stands - available in our Accessory Kit
• Level – to ensure an even pour
• Maker’s Studio Torch – to remove bubbles
• Heat Gun and knife - to remove drips from the back
• Felt pads & cork coaster backing - to finish off the tray and coasters
Step 1 - Paint Your Design
Quia starts by placing her materials on a plastic lined work surface. 
She then paints simple, colorful shapes onto her coaster and tray using acrylic paints. Choose your favorite color combination - Quia is using a happy, bright palette of fluorescent shades balanced with neutrals.
Quia recommends: "I would definitely say have fun with this part! Don't overthink it. Just paint some cool shapes in whatever pattern you like, whatever color you like - anything that's going to lift your mood and brighten your day."
Step 2 - Outline Design in Black
Once Quia paints her colorful shapes, she outlines then in black acrylic to create bold contrast and to make the colors pop even more.
TIP: For the best results, she thins the black acrylic paint with a little water - this helps the brush glide smoothly across the surface and makes outlining much easier.
After finishing the outlines, Quia lets the paint dry completely overnight before moving onto the next step.
Step 3 - Add Metallic Accents
The next step is adding metallic accents to bring in extra sparkle and dimension. Quia uses gold and silver Deco Art pens to draw shimmering lines alongside the black outlines.
Next, Quia sets up a fan over her tray and coasters, letting them dry for a couple of days so that the surface is ready for resin: it's essential that the paint is completely dry before pouring resin.
Step 4 - Add Sparkle
Once the paint is fully dry, Quia adds an extra layer of sparkle with holographic glitter paint. She brushes the glitter over a few of her shapes to create an effect that shimmers and shifts in the light.
Step 5 - Apply the ArtResin
Next, Quia prepares the ArtResin.
If you're unsure how much ArtResin to use, enter your panel’s dimensions into our Resin Calculator. For example, Quia's 12 x 24" panel needs 10 oz total resin.
Each coaster requires .5 oz of resin. For 4 coasters, Quia requires 2 oz total. 
Wearing gloves, Quia prepares 12 oz total, made up of 6 oz of resin and 6 oz of hardener. She stirs well for a full 3 minutes, making sure to scrape the sides and bottom of the container to ensure thorough blending. Quia recommends stirring slowly to avoid creating excess bubbles.
Once the resin is mixed, Quia mixes a small amount of iridescent fine glitter into the resin.
TIP: A little goes a long way! Quia used about 3 shakes - you don't need much.
When pouring, start in the center of the panel, pouring close to the surface to minimize air bubbles.
Next, spread the resin out from the center to the edges with a flat-edged spreader, gently dragging it over the edges.
TIP: Quia suggests looking at the piece from eye-level so you can see if you have any bare spots on your project.
Step 6 - Torch out Bubbles
Next, Quia uses a torch to remove bubbles. She prefers using a torch over a heat gun, which can push the resin around.
TIP: After torching, we recommend you look for bits of dust particles in the resin, using a toothpick to fish them out.
Step 7 - Position the Handles
Place the handles into the wet resin exactly where you want them. This allows the handles to cure seamlessly into the resin without drilling. Measure carefully to ensure your resin tray handles are perfectly symmetrical to create a polished, professional-looking piece.
Step 8 - Cover & Cure
Cover the piece with a dust cover. Quia uses a large canvas propped up on some paint cans. Let the resin cure for 24 hours.
Step 9 - Finishing Touches
Once the resin tray has fully cured, remove any drips from the back. Taping off the back of the tray with painter's tape would avoid this step, but if you do end up with drips, simply heat the resin drips with a heat gun for a few seconds, then scrape them off with a knife. This is an easy technique - but be careful to scrape away from you.
Next, Quia adds felt pads to the bottom of the tray to protect surfaces, and signs the back to personalize her creation. She also applies self-adhesive cork backings to the tiles for finished look.
The Final Result!
Quia says: “As you can see, this tray turned out so beautifully. I am absolutely in love with the colors, I’m in love with the way the ArtResin makes everything pop and glisten - I mean, look at the sparkle! I would encourage all of you to start your own resin project. As you can see, this was super easy to do and ArtResin makes it so easy for beginners.”
To see more of Quia's art:
Visit our blog: @qzdesigngallery Is Our Instagram Winner!
Visit her website: www.qzdesigngallery.com
Follow her on Instagram: www.instagram.com/qzdesigngallery
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