How To Resin Paper Collage

August 9, 2018

Covering your collage artwork in a coating of ArtResin is easy - in fact, epoxy resin takes a collage next level, sealing and protecting it with a professional looking finish that gives depth and makes texture pop!

We love using wooden art panels here at ArtResin - you can mount your artwork and pour your resin directly on the panel! Some panels even have a raised lip specifically designed to contain resin - they make for a super easy pour with clean edges.

Measure, mix, pour, spread, cover and wait, and in 24 hours your collage artwork will go from good to gorgeous!

Let's get started ....

Supplies:

A 12 x 12" wooden art panel, painted or stained as desired
construction paper (or collage piece to fit the panel)
a glue stick
ArtResin epoxy resin
A pair of nitrile gloves, a stir stick and spreader
a level
a measuring cup with easy to read measurement lines
a mixing container
a handheld torch like our Artist's Torch
toothpicks
an empty plastic tote or cardboard box with the flaps cut off to protect your piece while it dries

Discover our resin art accessories & tools!

Steps:

1. Tear or cut your paper in strips or shapes

Using construction paper, tear or cut your paper in strips or shapes as desired. Mount the paper, gluing one by one with a glue stick, directly onto the wooden panel to create your paper collage.

Resin Paper Collage - Mount the paper, gluing one by one

2. Apply Sealant

Apply sealant of choice: you can use a spray sealant or a brush-on sealant like Mod Podge, as we did. Allow sealant to dry thoroughly.

A Note On Sealing:

We always recommend testing your particular materials out with ArtResin on a scrap piece so you know exactly what to expect before you resin your final project. There are certain cases, however, when sealing your work prior to resining is required ....

Sealing over low quality paper

It's a good precaution to seal when applying ArtResin over softer paper that may absorb the resin, causing dark, wet spots in your work or causing your work to bleed. We also recommend sealing over matte photo paper which may absorb the resin (as opposed to glossy paper which allows the resin to sit on top).

Sealing over loose material

With chalk pastel or charcoal, you want to be mindful of loose dust that might get mixed up and float away in your liquid resin. For peace of mind, you can certainly err on the side of caution and seal your artwork first with a spray fixative.

Sealing the wood panel

Being an organic material, wood may contain trapped air which can release into your resin as bubbles. There are many variables that can affect gas bubbles: the type of wood, how dry the wood is, humidity etc. Sealing the panels with a spray or brush-on sealant (or even acrylic paint) is an option to help to prevent bubbles.

We've used these wood panels enough to know that we don't need to seal them, but we always recommend testing with your particular materials so you know exactly what results to expect before you resin your final project. Again, if in doubt, you can never go wrong by sealing first if it makes you feel more comfortable.

3. Calculate how much Resin you need

Using our Resin Calculator, simply enter the length and width of your piece to determine how much ArtResin you’ll need.

💡 TIP: a standard 1/8" or 3 mm coating for a 12" x 12" panel requires 5 oz resin (2.5 oz resin and 2.5 oz hardener). Measure the lip on your panel as they can vary. The panel in our video, for example, has a 1/4" lip. In order to fill it to the top, you'd use double the amount: 10 oz total resin (5 oz resin and 5 oz hardener).

Resin Paper Collage - Calculate how much Resin you need

4. Stir Thoroughly

Wearing gloves, measure accurately ( by volume ) precisely equal amounts of resin and hardener. Stir thoroughly for 3 minutes total, ensuring you scrape the bottom and sides of your mixing container as you go.
💡 TIP: for our very best measuring and mixing tips, read the blog How To Measure And Mix Resin And Hardener.

Resin Paper Collage - Wearing gloves, measure accurately

5. Pour the Resin

Pour the ArtResin onto the centre of your piece and spread it out to the edges using a plastic spreader or a popsicle stick. You'll have about 45 minutes of working time before the resin gets too thick to work with.
💡 TIP: Read our blog How To Pour And Spread Epoxy Resin for more resin tips and techniques!

Resin Paper Collage - Pour the ArtResin onto the centre of your piece

Resin Paper Collage - spread it out to the edges using a plastic spreader

6. Use your Torch

Using your Artist’s Torch, hold the flame a couple of inches above the resin surface just long enough to pop the bubbles, keeping the torch moving from side to side at all times.
💡 TIP: if you're nervous about using a torch, don't be! Read our blog with all you need to know about How To Use A Torch On Epoxy Resin.

Resin Paper Collage - Using your Artist’s Torch, hold the flame a couple of inches above the resin surface

7. Final Check of your Piece

Once the piece has been torched, look at the resin in the light for any missed bubbles, tiny hairs or bits of dust, using a toothpick to fish them out.

Resin Paper Collage - Final Check of your Piece

8. Cover your Resin Art

With a plastic tote or a cardboard box ( with the flaps cut off ) cover your piece and let it sit for 24 hrs until it’s dry to the touch.

Resin Paper Collage - Cover your Resin Art

9. Wait 24 Hours

After 24hrs has passed, reveal your piece!
💡 TIP: the resin will be dry to the touch at the 24hr mark. At this point, you're free to hang and admire your artwork on the wall, absolutely, but if you're planning on packing and shipping your artwork, please wait at least 72hrs until the resin has fully cured.

Resin Paper Collage - the resin will be dry to the touch at the 24hr mark

We hope you found this informative and helpful!

Do you want to learn more about using resin with different mediums and on different surfaces? Check out our how-to tutorials:

ArtResin: Made For Artists, By Artists.

About the author: Joanne Wright

I'm Joanne, the Content Manager at ArtResin. Originally from Canada, my home is now Indianapolis, Indiana. My love of all things creative and my entrepreneurial heart means I’ve worn many hats over the years including fashion producer & stylist, retail store owner, t-shirt designer, and even vegan baker! I am...

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