Glow in the dark resin is one of the most striking things you can make with glow pigment. Because resin is clear and thick, it holds a lot of pigment in a way light can easily reach - which is why resin pieces often glow brighter than painted ones.
This guide covers everything: which resin to use, how much glow powder to add, how to mix and pour it, and how to avoid the problems that ruin most first attempts.
What You Need
- Clear epoxy resin (resin + hardener). Any good-quality clear epoxy works.
- Strontium aluminate glow pigment powder - our glow in the dark pigment powders mix straight into resin.
- A digital scale (for the pigment ratio)
- Mixing cups and silicone or wooden stir sticks
- A silicone mould, or the surface you are coating
- Gloves, and a well-ventilated workspace
- A UV flashlight for charging (optional but recommended)
Which Resin Works Best for Glow Pigment?
The resin itself matters as much as the pigment.
- Choose a clear, non-tinted resin. Any tint or colour blocks light from charging the pigment and hides the glow.
- Coating or jewellery resins (thicker, faster curing) hold pigment in place well. They are the easiest choice for coasters, pendants and thin layers.
- Deep-pour or casting resins are thinner and cure slowly, so glow powder has more time to sink. They work, but you need the anti-settling tips below.
- UV resin can work for very thin layers, but heavy pigment loads can block the curing light. Test a small piece first.
How Much Glow Powder to Add to Resin
Use glow pigment so it makes up 20–30% of the total mix by weight - where your resin manufacturer allows that much additive. For example:
| Total batch | At 20% | At 30% |
|---|---|---|
| 50 g | 10 g pigment + 40 g resin | 15 g pigment + 35 g resin |
| 100 g | 20 g pigment + 80 g resin | 30 g pigment + 70 g resin |
| 250 g | 50 g pigment + 200 g resin | 75 g pigment + 175 g resin |
Below about 15% the glow looks weak. Above 30% the mixture gets thick, harder to pour and more likely to trap bubbles, with little extra brightness. Every resin brand is different: some epoxies accept less additive before curing is affected. Check your resin's datasheet for its limit and always test a small batch before a big project.
Which Particle Size to Choose
- 65–90 µm gives the brightest glow and is the usual choice for resin. Because the particles are larger, they sink faster - so pour at the right moment (see step 4).
- 0–30 µm stays in suspension longer and gives a smoother, more even look, with a little less brightness. Good for thin coatings and fine jewellery.
How to Make Glow in the Dark Resin - Step by Step
Step 1: Mix the resin
Measure resin and hardener exactly as your resin brand says and mix slowly for the full time on the label, scraping the sides and bottom of the cup.
Step 2: Weigh and add the pigment
Weigh the glow powder so it makes up 20–30% of the total mix (see the table above). Many resin artists pre-mix it first: stir the powder into a small amount of the mixed resin to make a smooth paste, then add that paste to the main batch. This is the easiest way to avoid clumps.
Step 3: Stir thoroughly but gently
Stir for 2–3 minutes until there are no streaks or dry clumps. Stir slowly - fast stirring adds bubbles. The pigment does not dissolve; it hangs in the resin as tiny crystals.
Step 4: Wait before pouring (the key to an even glow)
Freshly mixed resin is at its thinnest, which is when pigment sinks fastest. Letting the mix thicken slightly before pouring keeps the glow evenly spread through the piece. How long depends on your resin and room temperature, so check with a test cup: when it flows like warm honey rather than water, it is ready.
Step 5: Pour and pop bubbles
Pour slowly into the mould. Remove surface bubbles with a quick pass of a heat gun or torch, keeping it moving so you do not overheat the resin.
Step 6: Check for settling while it cures
For the first part of the cure, check the piece. If you can see the pigment gathering at the bottom, you can gently stir small pieces once more, or simply let it settle - a concentrated glow layer can look great too. Our guide on why glow pigment sinks in resin covers every fix in detail.
Step 7: Let it cure fully, then charge
Let the resin cure completely. Then charge it under a UV flashlight for 10–30 seconds, or in direct sunlight, and turn off the lights.
Tips for the Brightest Glow Resin
- Pick the right colour. Green and cyan glow the brightest and longest, for 12+ hours. Warm colours glow softer.
- Add a white back layer. For coasters, signs and flat pieces, a white layer behind the glow layer reflects light outwards and can make the glow look brighter. On wood or other surfaces, a white base such as white gesso does the same job.
- Thicker glows brighter. A deeper resin layer holds more pigment, so more crystals charge and glow.
- Keep the powder dry. Glow powder absorbs moisture from the air, and damp powder clumps and glows weaker. Close the bag straight after use and use plastic or silicone tools rather than metal.
- Avoid opaque colourants. Mica, metallic or opaque pigments mixed into the same layer hide the glow. If you want a tint, use a tiny amount of transparent liquid resin colour - or put the colour in a separate layer.
- Use a UV flashlight for display. Glass display cases block some UV, so charge pieces directly.
Common Glow Resin Problems
- Glow is weak: not enough pigment, a tinted resin, or a weak charging light.
- Glow is only at the bottom: the pigment sank - pour later, use a thicker resin or a finer particle size.
- Clumps or specks: pigment added too fast, not pre-mixed, or the powder was damp.
- Resin stays sticky: wrong resin-to-hardener ratio, not mixed long enough, or too much pigment for that resin.
- Cloudy finish: moisture or bubbles. Keep glow powder dry and stir slowly.
Want Neon Colours Instead?
Glow pigment glows on its own in the dark. If you want bright neon pigments that light up under blacklight instead, see our guide to using fluorescent pigment in epoxy resin.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much glow powder do I add to epoxy resin? Aim for glow pigment to be 20–30% of the total mix by weight - for example 20–30 g of pigment with 70–80 g of mixed resin - as long as your resin allows that much additive.
Can you put glow in the dark powder in any resin? It works in most clear epoxy resins. Avoid tinted resins, and test UV resin in thin layers first.
Why does my glow powder sink to the bottom of resin? Glow crystals are heavier than resin, so they sink while the resin is thin. Wait for it to thicken slightly before pouring, or use a thicker resin.
Why is my glow powder clumping in resin? Usually the powder has absorbed moisture, or it was added too fast. Keep the bag sealed, and pre-mix the powder into a little resin before adding it to the main batch.
How long does glow in the dark resin glow? With strontium aluminate, green and cyan glow for 12+ hours after a full charge, and warm colours for around 8 hours.
Does glow powder affect resin curing? It can. Many epoxies tolerate this amount, but not all do, so check your resin's datasheet and test a small batch first. If your resin stays tacky, reduce the pigment and check your resin-to-hardener ratio.
Get Started
Not sure which colours to try? A glow pigment kit lets you test several colours in resin before buying larger sizes, and a UV flashlight charges finished pieces in seconds.
Written by the GlowThatWows team - specialists in strontium aluminate glow in the dark pigments and paints.
