Resin Color Mixing Chart
What color do you get when you mix gold + black mica powder?
What makes a true ocean teal? How does resin's amber tint shift your whites?
This page answers all of it — with a 30+ combination mixing chart,
colorant type guide, named color recipes, and a free
interactive Color Mixer that previews your result before you pour.
💡 Quick reference
Red + Blue = Purple ·
Blue + Yellow = Green ·
Gold + Red = Copper ·
Gold + Black = Bronze ·
White + Any color = Pastel
Important: resin's amber tint shifts pure white → cream, pure blue → teal.
Add white base first to neutralize for true pastels.
Use the Color Mixer tool below to preview any combination,
or jump to the full chart, named recipes,
or colorant type guide.
Select up to two mica powder colors and a resin base — see a live color preview swatch and get the predicted cured result with mixing notes. No sign-up.
💡 Once you know your color combination, use the Mica Powder & Color Mixing Calculator to get exact gram amounts for your batch size.
How color mixing works in resin — and why it differs from paint
Resin color mixing follows standard color theory, but with one critical variable paint users miss: epoxy resin cures with a natural amber tint that shifts every color you add. The degree depends on the resin formula, pour depth, and cure temperature. Water-clear resins and UV resins minimize it significantly; most standard craft brands do not.
🌑 The amber tint effect
Standard craft epoxy shifts colors warm: white becomes cream, pure blue becomes teal-blue, pink becomes peach, lavender becomes warm lilac. Adding a titanium white base neutralizes the amber for true pastels. See the full shift table below.
✨ Mica vs pigment behavior
Mica powder creates shimmer and metallic depth — it is a solid particle suspended in resin. Fine mica distributes evenly. Coarse mica settles in thick pours for a layered shimmer effect. Pigment powder and pastes are denser and produce more opaque, matte results.
🔬 Thin vs thick pours
The same color reads completely differently at 3mm vs 20mm depth. Thin pours appear lighter and more transparent. Thick pours appear darker and richer. Always test in the same depth as your final project for an accurate color check.
⏰ Color shifts during cure
Freshly poured resin looks different from fully cured resin. Colors darken slightly and become more saturated over 24–72 hours. Overheating above 85°F permanently yellows all colors. Cure at 70–75°F for the most accurate, predictable results.
The 12% rule for mica powder
Never exceed 10–12% colorant by weight. Above this threshold, pigment particles can interfere with the chemical curing reaction, leaving soft spots or permanently tacky resin. For most mica powders, 6–8% gives full opacity with safe cure. Use the Mica Powder Calculator to stay within safe limits automatically for any batch size.
Mica powder color mixing chart: 30+ combinations
All combinations assume standard craft epoxy with a slight amber tint. Results are predicted cured color. Use the Color Mixer tool above for an interactive swatch preview with notes specific to your resin base.
Metallics and neutrals
| Color 1 | Color 2 | Ratio | Result | Effect |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gold | Black | 3:1 | Bronze | Metallic shimmer |
| Gold | Red | 2:1 | Warm Copper | Metallic shimmer |
| Gold | White | 1:2 | Champagne / Pale Gold | Soft shimmer |
| Silver | Black | 3:1 | Gunmetal Grey | Metallic shimmer |
| Silver | Blue | 2:1 | Ice Blue / Steel | Metallic shimmer |
| Silver | Purple | 2:1 | Holographic Lavender | Iridescent |
| Rose Gold | White | 2:1 | Blush Pink | Soft shimmer |
| Copper | Black | 4:1 | Antique Bronze | Metallic shimmer |
| Gold | Silver | 1:1 | Antique Gold | Metallic shimmer |
| White | Black | 3:1 | Light Grey | Matte to soft shimmer |
Blues, teals, and greens
| Color 1 | Color 2 | Ratio | Result | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue | Green | 2:1 | Teal | Deepens with amber tint |
| Blue | White | 3:1 | Sky Blue / Powder Blue | Use white base to neutralize amber |
| Blue | Black | 5:1 | Deep Navy | Very deep — use black sparingly |
| Teal | White | 2:1 | Seafoam / Mint | Classic ocean resin effect |
| Teal | Gold | 3:1 | Deep Aqua with Shimmer | Popular ocean wave look |
| Green | Yellow | 2:1 | Lime / Chartreuse | Bright and vivid |
| Green | Black | 4:1 | Forest / Olive Green | Earthy tone |
| Green | Blue | 1:1 | Emerald Teal | Rich jewel tone |
Reds, pinks, purples, and warm tones
| Color 1 | Color 2 | Ratio | Result | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red | Blue | 1:1 | Purple / Violet | Shifts warm with amber tint |
| Red | White | 1:3 | Coral Pink / Blush | Use white base for true pink |
| Red | Yellow | 2:1 | Warm Orange | Vivid and saturated |
| Red | Black | 4:1 | Deep Burgundy / Wine | Rich dark tone |
| Purple | White | 2:1 | Lavender | Use white base to avoid cream shift |
| Purple | Blue | 1:2 | Periwinkle / Iris | Cool blue-purple |
| Purple | Black | 4:1 | Deep Plum | Rich dark jewel tone |
| Pink | White | 1:2 | Baby Pink / Soft Blush | White base essential |
| Orange | Yellow | 1:1 | Golden Amber | Warm and rich |
| Brown | Gold | 2:1 | Warm Caramel | Earthy metallic |
| Red | Brown | 1:1 | Terracotta / Rust | Earthy warm tone |
| Yellow | White | 1:3 | Butter / Cream Yellow | Amber tint adds warmth |
⚠️ Ratios are starting points. Exact results depend on your specific mica brand, particle size, resin formula, and pour depth. Always test a 30ml sample first on important projects. Water-clear and UV resins produce more vibrant, true-to-color results than standard amber-tint epoxy.
Named resin color recipes
Complete recipes for the most popular resin aesthetics — colorant combination, proportions, and any base preparation needed. All percentages are by weight of total mixed resin.
🌊 Ocean Wave
Colors: Teal (4%), White (3%), Blue (1%)
Base: Standard amber epoxy
Method: Add white to Part A first. Pour white base first, then swirl teal and
blue on top. Use a heat gun in slow passes over the surface for foam-like wave texture.
🌌 Galaxy / Cosmos
Colors: Black (6%), Purple (2%), Blue (2%), Silver (1% sprinkled)
Base: Any clear epoxy
Method: Black base first. Pour and swirl purple and blue into the wet surface.
Sprinkle silver mica lightly on top for a star effect before the resin begins to gel.
🪨 Rose Gold Marble
Colors: White (8%), Rose Gold (3%)
Base: Water-clear resin preferred
Method: Mix white into full batch. Divide off 20% and mix in rose gold.
Pour white base, drizzle rose gold on top and drag with a toothpick for marble veins.
🏜 Desert Sunset
Colors: Orange (3%), Red (2%), Yellow (2%), Gold (1%)
Base: Standard amber epoxy (amber tint enhances warmth)
Method: Separate into three cups: yellow, orange, red. Pour in layers from
bottom to top. Tilt mold gently to blend edges naturally.
🌿 Jade / Deep Forest
Colors: Green (5%), Gold (2%), Black (0.5%)
Base: Standard amber epoxy
Method: Mix all together. Black deepens the green without muddying; gold adds
an organic vein-like shimmer mimicking natural jade. Works especially well in sphere molds.
⬛ Obsidian / Black Marble
Colors: Black (7%), Silver (1% for veins)
Base: Any epoxy
Method: Mix black into full batch. After pouring, drizzle thin lines of silver
mica mixed with a few drops of resin across the surface before it gels.
Do not swirl — let settle naturally for realistic veins.
💜 Amethyst Crystal
Colors: Purple (5%), Silver (2%), White (2%)
Base: Water-clear preferred
Method: Mix purple and silver for main batch. Add white to a small 20% portion
for lighter crystal inclusions. Layer without fully blending for a faceted crystal effect.
🍦 Pastel Rainbow
Colors: White base (8%) + individual colors at 2–3% in separate cups
Base: Water-clear resin essential — amber tint makes pastels muddy
Method: White base neutralizes the resin. Add pink, yellow, blue, or mint to
separate small batches. Pour side by side. Drag once with a toothpick for soft blending.
🛒 Colorants for these recipes: Mica powder sets · Alcohol inks · Pigment powder sets · Titanium white pigment
Colorant types for resin: which to use and when
The colorant type determines shimmer, opacity, color accuracy, and whether the result is transparent or solid. Each has different mixing behavior and safe concentration limits in resin.
| Colorant Type | Effect | Safe Limit | Best For | Avoid When |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mica powder | Shimmer, metallic, pearlescent | Up to 12% by weight | Metallics, ocean effects, galaxy, most decorative work | True transparent jewel tones — mica always adds some opacity |
| Pigment powder | Opaque, matte to semi-gloss | Up to 10% by weight | Solid colors, pastels with white base, high-opacity work | Any project needing shimmer or metallic effect |
| Liquid resin dye | Transparent, jewel-toned, no shimmer | 2–5% by volume | Stained-glass effect, transparent layered pours | Opaque coverage — use pigment or mica instead |
| Alcohol ink | Highly saturated, transparent, creates cells | Under 3% by volume | Cells, abstract flow effects, intense transparent color | Large batches — solvent content inhibits cure above 3% |
| Pigment paste | Very opaque, highly concentrated | 1–3% by weight | True opaque color, industrial-look solid fills | Any project needing shimmer or transparency |
| Acrylic paint | Matte, opaque, wide color range | Under 2% by volume | Emergency use when no resin dye is available | Important projects — water content risks cure above 2% |
Layering colorant types in the same project
You can combine colorant types in the same pour — just not in the same mixed cup. A proven technique: use liquid dye in the base pour for transparent depth, then mica powder in a top pour for shimmer at the surface. This creates the layered depth seen in professional ocean and geode resin art.
Never mix alcohol ink and mica powder into the same small batch. The solvent in alcohol ink causes mica particles to clump. Mix them into separate portions and combine through layered pours.
Resin's amber tint: color shift reference table
Standard craft epoxy resins cure with a slight yellow-amber cast. This is not a defect — it is a property of epoxide chemistry. The table below shows how the amber tint shifts each common color and how to compensate when accuracy matters.
| Color Added | Expected Result | Actual in Amber Resin | Fix |
|---|---|---|---|
| Titanium White | Bright white | Off-white / warm cream | Use water-clear resin or accept warm white |
| Cobalt Blue | Pure blue | Blue-teal with warm undertone | Add tiny amount of purple to counteract yellow shift |
| Pastel Pink | Baby pink | Peach / salmon | White base first + water-clear resin for true pink |
| Lavender | Cool purple-pink | Warm lilac / dusty mauve | Add small amount of blue to cool the tone |
| Lemon Yellow | Bright lemon | Warm golden yellow | Amber tint enhances this — no fix needed |
| Forest Green | Cool green | Slightly warmer, olive-ish | Add a trace of blue to cool it back |
| Black | True black | Very slightly warm black | Not noticeable in practice |
The white base technique: For any project where the amber shift is a problem — especially pastels and pure whites — mix titanium white pigment into your full Part A at 6–8% first. This creates a neutral white canvas that cancels the amber. Any color mixed into it will be much more true to the mica powder’s labeled color.
Color intensity guide: how much colorant to use
The same mica powder looks completely different at 2% vs 10% concentration in resin. This table tells you what to expect at each level so you can choose before mixing.
| Intensity Level | % by Weight | Per 100g Batch | Visual Result | Best Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tint / transparent | 2–4% | 2–4g | Translucent — color visible, light passes through | Layered pours, stained glass effect, depth layers |
| Light / semi-transparent | 4–6% | 4–6g | Tinted but light still transmits | Jewelry, pendants, thin coasters |
| Medium / vibrant | 6–8% | 6–8g | Rich color, slight opacity, vivid shimmer | Most decorative resin work — recommended default |
| Opaque / solid | 8–12% | 8–12g | Fully solid color — no light transmission | Solid-color pieces, backgrounds, opaque inlays |
| ⚠️ Over-limit | Above 12% | Above 12g | Risk of cure inhibition — soft or tacky result | Avoid — test first if exceeding 10% |
For exact gram amounts by batch size and intensity — with automatic buffer for cup waste — use the Mica Powder & Color Mixing Calculator.
Common resin color mixing mistakes — and how to avoid them
❌ Adding colorant after Part B
Always add colorant to Part A before mixing with Part B. Adding after combining both parts creates uneven distribution and permanent streaks. Part A absorbs mica better and gives you mixing time before the cure clock starts.
❌ Skipping the test pour
A 30ml test costs cents and shows the exact cured color. Skip it on a 500ml river table and you risk a permanently wrong result. Test in the same pour depth as your final project — thin test pours look different from deep ones.
❌ Too much alcohol ink
Alcohol inks are highly concentrated. Three drops in a small batch is often already over 3%. Above this the solvent interferes with curing and leaves a permanently tacky surface. If your colored resin won’t cure, see the Sticky Resin Guide for diagnosis.
❌ Expecting paint-accurate color
Mica powder colors are labeled by appearance in air — not in resin. A purple mica in the jar may read blue-violet in cured resin due to amber shift and depth. Use the Color Mixer above for predicted outcomes, not just the jar label.
❌ Stirring too fast
Vigorous stirring introduces bubbles that cure into the finished piece. Fold mica into resin gently. A heat gun in slow passes over the poured surface pops surface bubbles before the resin gels.
❌ Pre-mixing colorant into resin and storing
Never mix mica powder into Part A and store it — the combination begins aging immediately. Mix colorant into Part A immediately before your project session. Unopened mica jars stored dry and sealed last 2+ years without issue.
Resin color mixing FAQs
Can you mix mica powder colors together in resin?
Yes — mica powder colors mix predictably following standard color theory. Gold + red = copper, blue + yellow = green, red + blue = purple. The resin’s natural amber tint shifts results slightly: white becomes cream, pure blue shifts toward teal. Use the Color Mixer above for a predicted outcome, and always test on a 30ml sample before a large pour.
How much mica powder do I need for resin?
Use 2–4% by weight for transparent tints, 6–8% for medium vibrant color, and 8–12% for fully opaque results. For a 100g batch that is 2–4g for a tint up to 12g for full opacity. Never exceed 12% — above this the pigment can inhibit curing and leave a tacky surface. Use the Mica Powder Calculator for exact gram amounts by batch size and desired intensity.
What is the difference between mica powder and liquid dye for resin?
Mica powder creates shimmer, metallic, and pearlescent effects. Liquid dye and alcohol ink create transparent, jewel-toned color with no shimmer. For mixed effects, use them in separate portions of the same pour rather than pre-mixing together, as alcohol ink solvents cause mica particles to clump when combined directly.
Why does my resin color look different after curing?
Three factors shift resin color during cure: colors darken slightly and become more saturated as resin cures; the same color looks lighter in thin pours and darker in thick pours; overheating above 85°F permanently yellows all colors. Always cure a test sample at the same pour depth as your project. See the Temperature Guide to avoid overheating color shifts.
How do I make white opaque resin?
Add titanium white pigment at 8–12% by weight to your Part A before mixing with Part B. Titanium dioxide gives the brightest, most opaque white. This also creates a neutral base for pastels — adding any color mica at 2–4% into a pre-whitened base gives true pastel results without the amber tint shifting colors warm.
Can I use acrylic paint to color resin?
Yes, but strictly under 2% by volume. More than this introduces water from the acrylic emulsion that prevents proper curing — you get a permanently soft or sticky surface. For safer, better results use resin-specific pigment powder, mica powder, or liquid resin dye. Acrylic paint is only appropriate as a last resort.
What colors make teal or ocean blue resin?
For teal: mix blue and green mica at approximately 2:1 (blue:green). For ocean blue: combine blue mica (70%) with green (20%) and white (10%) for depth and foam effect. Note that standard epoxy’s amber tint naturally shifts pure blue toward teal — this can be used intentionally for ocean effects without any green mica at all.
Does the color of resin affect curing?
Most colorants are safe within recommended limits. Exceptions: alcohol inks above 3% by volume inhibit cure due to solvent content. Acrylic paint above 2% by volume introduces water that prevents crosslinking. UV resin requires UV-transparent colorants — opaque pigments block the UV light needed for curing. If your colored resin is sticky or soft after cure, see the Sticky Resin & Cure Guide for diagnosis.