GORGEOUS Resin Napkin Rings
Learn how to make resin napkin rings – whether you find a mold for it or not! When you’re done, check out how to make a resin tray with handles (or without!) This post contains affiliate links.
Every weekend, my family celebrates Shabbat, and I love setting a beautiful table. Since we do this weekly, I like to switch things up and I’m a big fan of napkin rings.
I have a large collection of napkin rings that I myself have crafted and I get so much enjoyment seeing something DIY on my own Shabbat table.
I have already shared a few of those I created. I shared these leather napkin rings – that I’ve since created another rustic brown set of. When I wanted something bright and white, I crafted a set of clay napkin rings – but also shared ideas for finishing them.
As part of my resin 101 series, I wanted to create a set of napkin rings. While this is not a baseline project for most people, there were a few beginner skills that needed addressing here that shows some creativity in the process of creating resin crafts.
In this post, I’m going to share some basic skills including:
- Using a resin mold that has a center portion as well – it presents its own challenge
- Different finishes (not just high gloss) on resin
- Using metal leafing properly in resin
- Using acrylic paints for resin coloring
- Finishing off rough ends neatly (I really just touch on this because I cared a bit less about this as I’m making it for me, and not to sell)
- What to do when you can’t find a mold for your project
So as you can see, making a resin napkin rings tutorial was an opportunity for beginner resin crafting lessons.
But first: finding a mold.
Finding a Mold for Resin Napkin Rings
I stared off my idea of making resin napkin rings the way most resin processes start: looking for a mold. I couldn’t find one.
I thought, maybe I’ll make my own mold for epoxy resin crafting. Problem: mold-maker silicone is pricey. Problem 2: I need something to cast and none of my existing napkin rings were a good candidate.
Then I bumped into some shot glass molds… in the baking/candy making department! Note: the one that I used is discontinued, but this one from Wilton is most similar.
I figured that I can partially fill them and make resin napkin rings! But first we have a pressing question: can baking molds be used for resin?
Using a baking mold for resin
There is really no reason not to use a silicone baking mold for resin. The resin pops out nicely – and even with baking in mind, it’s designed for various fillings. Some people fill it with cake batter, some use it with chocolate, and some with candy.
Important to note: most baking molds have a satin or matte finish. Most resin molds have a glossier finish. That means that you probably won’t get that gorgeous shiny finish that you’re used to with resin.
For these DIY resin napkin rings it didn’t really matter. It’s just something to be aware of when using baking molds for resin. You can embrace the matte texture (I LOVE it) or you can polish it after (not so practical for more complex projects)
Another catch: you can’t use it for baking after. While the resin that I used is food safe, the fillings weren’t. I didn’t care about this because I purchased this mold special for this project. I may use it to make resin shot glasses in the future, but not chocolate ones.
And finally, I did find out that baking molds don’t last as long. I haven’t tested this and can’t really speak from experience. I do wonder if it’s something in the composition of the mold, or the constant long-term exposure to high temperatures that degrades the silicone. This is an important distinction, as you won’t have that with resin. We’ll see.
More ideas for resin napkin rings molds
The shot glass molds were slightly small for resin napkin rings – something I found out after. They work wonderfully with paper napkins, or these gorgeous thin, guazy napkins that are my favorite anyway (and they look fabulous with).
So it was a perfect solution for me. But what if you want one for thicker napkins?
The idea here is to think outside the mold (haha). So if you’re looking to make resin napkin rings and need something other than shot glass molds, here are some more ideas.
- Try different sized jewelry molds and see if any work. I’d imagine that a bangle mold would be too big but you can try…
- Modify an existing round or square mold (if it’s otherwise the correct dimensions) to have the hole portion using mold putty.
- Make a beaded napkin ring using resin bead molds to make beads.
- Or just make your own by casting a portion of a shot glass in 2-part silicone!
Tips for crafting DIY resin napkin rings
Here are some of the tips that I used that will be helpful for resin beginners – if you are just that, read one. If not, you might want to skip to the step-by-step process.
Coloring resin with acrylic paint
Yes, I used acrylic paint to color this resin! You can totally do that! The possibilities are endless!
I find that it’s a great solution for when you want a totally opaque color. It’s affordable, accessible, and versatile – not just for your resin crafts.
Here, I used a gorgeous mint color and just love the results. As in, I’m totally obsessed in an unhealthy way. It’s hard for me to find the same color to recommend – so find a shade that you like (the one I had came in a kit).
The caveat (there always is one)? It’s not food safe. Most resin colorants aren’t (you can use food color if you want it food safe). However, since napkin rings aren’t used in contact with food (and the napkins they touch aren’t either) I didn’t feel that it was important in this case.
It’s just something to know if you are using acrylic paint to color resin for food-contact items. You need to make sure that your items are food safe. In the worst case, you can simply coat it with a layer or two of food safe resin (I used Alumilite clear cast epoxy). It’ll make it glossy.
Embellishing it
When it comes to deep, closed molds like I used for these DIY resin napkin rings, it’s hard to see what you’re doing.
I chose to add bits of copper leaf to the outside so that I have more control of the results. To do this, you simply flip the mold inside out and add bits of copper leaf directly to the mold in small amounts.
It looks incredible. It has that random arbitrary look that gives it a natural, interesting vibe.
On that note: adding metal leaf flakes in resin will not have the result you want here – the paint is too opaque, and in general they tend to “disappear” into the resin.
Your other choices are to use mix-ins in the resin itself rather than layering the design in the mold, sticking to a simple colored resin, or just praying it comes out nice!
Another thing to keep in mind: if you’re using a totally opaque mold (like I did) it’s hard to gauge the height of your resin. So if making a layered design for resin napkin rings, you may have some variation. To me, that’s just artsy. You might not like it. Be warned.
Some other ideas that can look fabulous:
- Mix undrilled stone chips into a bottom layer of clear resin. (Add the resin first and then mix in an equal amount of stones so you don’t have air bubbles). Add a white layer of resin once that one has hardened.
- Do a marbled design by marbling two colors loosely in your resin mixing cup.
- Mix pebbles or shell fragments into clear resin.
- Make it a solid color, and gild the edges using a gilding marker after.
Finishing the edges
When you partially fill a mold, you tend to get a concave end with sharp edges. You can fix this one of the following ways:
- Sanding it down and then polishing it. I don’t like doing this – it’s just too much work. I just sanded off the worst of it.
- Doming it. The right way to do this is to mix up fresh resin to match, tape off the edges so you don’t have spillover, and drop it in gently with a pipette. I did it the lazy way: I used clear UV resin straight from the bottle. It did the job.
- Embracing it – I could have done this and probably will when I make another batch (service for eight is not always enough for us when we have guests!)
- Deburring – You can also simply using a deburring tool to get rid of the worst of the sharp edges, but let it curve inward.
How to make resin napkin rings
There are many ways to do this, which is why I wrote the whole spiel with details and ideas above. The tutorial is specifically written in the very specific way that I crafted it.
Watch the YouTube Video
Watch the full-length video on YouTube if you prefer to learn that way! Or scroll down for written instructions with photos.
Materials Needed
- 2 part epoxy resin (I used Alumilite Clear Cast Epoxy)
- Shot glass mold
- Mint colored acrylic paint
- Copper leaf sheets
- Silicone mixing cup
- Resin measuring cups
- Silicone stirrer
- Heat gun
- Respirator mask
- Nitrile gloves
- A scrap of coarse sandpaper
- To finish it off: UV resin, masking tape, UV resin curing lamp
Process
1. Flip the molds inside out.
2. Carefully put copper leaf on portions of the mold. You only need to put it on the outside – so on the wider portion. Less is more and let it be abstract.
3. Flip them back the right way, making sure they’re fully positioned, without any ripples or crinkles.
4. Mix up your resin according to package directions.
5. Pour in your acrylic paint and mix until thoroughly incorporated.
6. You’ll need to visualize how high you want your resin napkin rings to be at this point. Fill your mold that high – as long as the top of that center bit is not covered in resin, you’ll have a ring and not a cup!
7. Slide your stirring tool around the edges of each one to make sure there are no air bubbles. Squish the sides, making sure they go down into all be cracks. Make sure the center bit is actually centered (if it’s not perfect, it’ll just have that artsy handcrafted look, but you don’t want it way off).
8. Zap your resin napkin rings with a heat gun to pop air bubbles, moving it around so that you don’t flash cure your resin.
9. Allow the resin napkin rings to cure completely (according to package directions and pop them out by inverting the molds.
You’ll see that the side that was in the mold is nice and rounded.
And the other side is sharp and inverted, with some possible copper leaf spilling over.
10. Gently sand off the extra bits of copper foil.
11. Tape around the edges (recommended – no I did not do this, still recommend it, I was VERY careful and had some drip). Gently and carefully, tip with a small amount of UV resin. You may need to use a toothpick to move it where you want it.
12. Cure your UV resin.
Aren’t your resin napkin rings gorgeous? I hope you enjoyed crafting them – and comment below with any tips, ideas, or questions!
DIY Resin Napkin Rings
Craft these gorgeous napkin rings from resin using a shot glass mold! Shot glass molds are easier to come by than napkin ring molds, and while designed for use with chocolate, they work fabulously with resin too.
Materials
- 2 part epoxy resin (I used Alumilite Clear Cast Epoxy)
- Shot glass mold
- Mint colored acrylic paint
- Copper leaf sheets
- Silicone mixing cup
- Resin measuring cups
- Silicone stirrer
- Heat gun
- Respirator mask
- Nitrile gloves
- A scrap of coarse sandpaper
- To finish it off: UV resin, masking tape, UV resin curing lamp
Instructions
1. Flip the molds inside out.
2. Carefully put copper leaf on portions of the mold. You only need to put it on the outside - so on the wider portion. Less is more and let it be abstract.
3. Flip them back the right way, making sure they're fully positioned, without any ripples or crinkles.
4. Mix up your resin according to package directions.
5. Pour in your acrylic paint and mix until thoroughly incorporated.
6. You'll need to visualize how high you want your resin napkin rings to be at this point. Fill your mold that high - as long as the top of that center bit is not covered in resin, you'll have a ring and not a cup!
7. Slide your stirring tool around the edges of each one to make sure there are no air bubbles. Squish the sides, making sure they go down into all be cracks. Make sure the center bit is actually centered (if it's not perfect, it'll just have that artsy handcrafted look, but you don't want it way off).
8. Zap your resin napkin rings with a heat gun to pop air bubbles, moving it around so that you don't flash cure your resin.
9. Allow the resin napkin rings to cure completely (according to package directions and pop them out by inverting the molds.
10. Gently sand off the extra bits of copper foil.
11. Tape around the edges (recommended - no I did not do this, still recommend it, I was VERY careful and had some drip). Gently and carefully, tip with a small amount of UV resin. You may need to use a toothpick to move it where you want it.
12. Cure your UV resin.
Notes
Some other ideas that can look fabulous:
- Mix undrilled stone chips into a bottom layer of clear resin. (Add the resin first and then mix in an equal amount of stones so you don't have air bubbles). Add a white layer of resin once that one has hardened.
- Do a marbled design by marbling two colors loosely in your resin mixing cup.
- Mix pebbles or shell fragments into clear resin.
- Make it a solid color, and gild the edges using a gilding marker after.
When you partially fill a mold, you tend to get a concave end with sharp edges. You can fix this one of the following ways:
- Sanding it down and then polishing it. I don't like doing this - it's just too much work.
- Doming it. The right way to do this is to mix up fresh resin to match, tape off the edges so you don't have spillover, and drop it in gently with a pipette. I did it the lazy way: I used clear UV resin straight from the bottle. It did the job.
- Embracing it - I could have done this and probably will when I make another batch (service for eight is not always enough for us when we have guests!)
- Deburring - You can also simply using a deburring tool to get rid of the worst of the sharp edges, but let it curve inward.
