I am putting this step-by-step tutorial on this wonderful resin website for everyone interested in making their own pendants and wanting to work with transparencies. I could get no in-depth help from anyone on how to work with transparencies and add them to resin jewelry, so I decided to learn this process myself. It took time through trial and error to get as far as I am now. Lots of experiments went into the trash can. I tried different resins until I found one that worked wonderfully, thanks to Resin Obsession Super Clear Resin. It’s a fantastic jewelry resin!
After trying different transparencies, I found one that works well. I just wanted to make jewelry that I wanted and loved for myself and no one else. Since I cannot afford to purchase what I want, I learned how to create things I love. It is much cheaper to make it yourself if you have time and are a bit obsessive like I am. So here it is for everyone who wants to make their own resin pendants and personalize them with transparencies.
Resin Supply list:
-Resin Obsession Super Clear Resin
-Computer Grafix Pk/50 Clear Ink Jet Film 8.5×11″
–Jewelry mold
-Emery board
–Cups and mixing sticks
Step 1: Create the artwork
You will have to decide what size and shape you want your pendant. After deciding on a mold, you will have to measure the inside of the mold you choose.
Then, you’ll need your artwork. Choose a photo – sketch – painting – or artwork you want to use to print onto the transparency. I suggest using your own pictures, drawings, photographs, or artworks. Due to copyright laws, I would not use anyone else’s artwork to put into the pendant. If you plan on selling your pendants, you will need to read up on copyright laws.
You can use many different types of photo programs to manipulate your picture. I took several photos at my family’s graveyard, where my mother is buried, then transferred my pictures onto my computer. I intensified the colors by using two different photo programs I got for free online. Then, I applied some cool effects. I urge you to intensify the colors in your photo, so you can see them better in your pendant.
After you are done with your photo manipulation, you will have to resize it so it will fit into your mold. Make enough photos to fill an entire page so you do not waste any of the transparencies When you are ready to print on your transparencies, make sure you adjust the printing preferences on your printer. And be sure to print on the correct side of the transparency. There is only one side you can print on. It will not be the shiny slick side; it will be the textured side. This is very important to making sure your transparencies look awesome in your resin!
Step 2: Cut Transparency to fit mold cavity
After I printed out my transparencies, I let them sit overnight in a place where fuzz and lint can not get on them. This is probably not necessary, but I take no chances. When I cut out my transparencies, I take them to a window where there is really bright light. I can see to cut them out better there.
Step 3: Add resin
I take my resin mold and put wax paper underneath it. This makes for easy cleanup because resin doesn’t stick to wax paper.
When I use epoxy resin, I have the temperature around 74 degrees. Mix the Super Clear Resin as two parts A to 1 part B. After I mix resin, I always let it rest for around 5 minutes. When I pour my resin, I pinch the side of the cup to get more control of the pour. I add about 1/8″ of resin on the bottom of my mold. Around 1/8″ gives a nice magnification of your transparency. If you have any bubbles, work them out with a toothpick or go over the surface with a heat gun.
Let the resin set up before you go to the next step.
Step 4: Inserting Transparency
Before you put in your transparencies, you will need to pour enough resin to coat the bottom. I usually put the printed side of the transparency face down. (Shiny side up – textured side down.) This will make a big difference if you have any words on your transparency. You don’t want your words backward. Put in your transparency and place it where you want with a toothpick. I usually push it down where the resin comes up over the top of the transparency and then center it. Next, I pour more resin onto the top and center it again. Let the pendant sit for at least 24 hours before popping it out.
This resin pendant mold is great for making your own resin pendants using transparencies. It has cast in place holes at the top, which means you won’t need to drill your pendants to add jump rings after demolding.
You may have to return after the resin has cured and top it off with more resin. Resin does shrink a little bit. By adding more resin, you do not have to sand the back edges. If you do not want to do that, you can come back after it has cured and pop it out. Then, take an emery board and file off the rough edges on the back. Always wear a mask if you do any sanding.
This is what it looks like against my white stove.
This is what it looks like held up to my window.
Step 5: Finishing
All I have to do to this piece to finish it up is drill a hole in it. You will need to mark where you want to drill the hole. I measure my pendant and put a tiny dot with my marker as a guide. Using a small hand drill, start with a very small drill bit and gradually increase the size till you get the hole size you need to be able to make the pendant wearable. Resin looks gorgeous on leather!
I hope this helps anyone to learn how to use transparencies in resin.
Ready to give this project a try but feel hesitant to get started?
I get it. I felt the same way when I was a resin beginner. It’s why I wrote the ebook, Resin Fundamentals. It has all the details I wish someone had told me when I started with epoxy resin. Buy a copy now, and you’ll get an email download link in minutes.
Originally written by Rona Phillips
Unpublished Blog Posts of Resin Obsession, LLC © 2020 Resin Obsession, LLC
This is a great tutorial! I was wondering if transpericies would work out after I spent WAY too much time cutting out words to put in my ring. That’s an hour of my life I am never going to get back LOL
Dani, paper also looks very cool in resin. Especially if it’s really old paper. If is really old paper, it will turn almost transparent, and could look really cool in some of your resin projects. *hugz*
Hi,
What “free” photo programs did you use and can you use regular transparency film? I can’t find what you have listed. THANKS FOR YOUR HELP!!!
This is awesome! I have been trying to do stuff like this with a group of American Heritage girls!
Does the transparencies have to be Inkjet? I have some, but they are used in regular copiers. Also, can you use those little doopies or whatever they are called for the holes? Might be hard to stand them up??? THANKS
Many Thanks for this tutorial.
I have just been given a box of A4 laxer Transparencies. Am hoping to make at least a few pendants or even earrings.
Holding Thumbs I get it to work.
@Francine, the transparencies don’t have to be inkjet, but you want to make sure you don’t run transparencies through a laser jet printer. They will melt! You can also have the print/copy store do your transparencies as well.
That’s what laser transparencies are made for – laser printers!
i ried to make a large tray with a transparency. it bubbled all over even tho i used the heat gun. one of the transparencies popped up too. what am i doing wrong? thank you.
Hi Judy, did you coat both sides with resin before including the transparency in your resin?
I laminate the transparencies before inserting in resin to avoid any bleeding of the ink on the transparency film.
Do you have to use any kind of spray fixative if you use an inkjet printer? I was afraid the ink would run once the resin hits it.
Thank you Francie! To manipulate my photos I used Gimp 2 and Kodaic easyshare and a free version of Photo Explosion. Michele you do not have to use a fixative if you use the Grafix Pk/50 Clear Ink Jet Film which I purchased at the link: http://grafixarts.shptron.com/p/computer-grafix-pk-50-clear-ink-jet-film-8-5×11?pp=8&pp=8
The colors will not run.
*hugz*
Rona
Good question Michele. I don’t have any experience here (I use a laser printer), but certainly it would be good to try to experiment. You could try a white, clear drying, glue on a couple of practice sheets.
Thank you for the wonderful tutorial! Its just what I needed to know for some great pics I took and wondered how to put them in my resin…
Will you do a tutorial with inkjet waterslide decal paper? I just bought some and need a good tutorial. Thanks!
You are welcome Nicole!
Tina I have been working on other projects and have not go back into resin as of yet.
*hugz*
Rona
Wow – thank you, I am new to resin and this is a great tutorial.
I am a sterling silver jewelry designer and I am looking for someone who’d like to make photo, prints or transparencies (gtreat idea) pendants with resin for my line. I dont want to work with a factory in China. Please let me know if you know someone, I am in SDoego,CA.
Thanks
Has anyone tried this with 4 x 5 transparencies?
And, might anyone know where I can find a 6 x 8 mold or something that can serve as one?
Thanks so much, everyone!
@Anita,
We don’t have anything that large, but you could try making your own with silicone. Go to a big home improvement store and have them cut a piece of acrylic sheet the size you want to use as your template.
Thank you Jackie!
Anita when I can not find the mold I want, I make my own. I use polymer clay to make the size and shape then create my own silicone mold.
*hugz*
Where did you get the picture that you use for this project??? I LOVE it!!!! Gorgeous pendant! 🙂
This is by far the most beautiful pendant I’ve seen. It’s nice to know that it has personal meaning behind it. I have to put this on my list of projects to try. Thanks ♥
Wonderful job! Is there any way I (we) can get a copy of the picture that you made? It’s beautiful! What an awesome job you did! Your mom would be proud!!
Wow thank you Debbi! I took the picture myself and manipulated the photo.
Thanks Carol!
Thank you Pattie! You can use my picture if you like, but if you sell please credit me on photo. If you need me to send you the picture my e-mail addy is kiragel@gmail.com
*hugz*
Rona
Please bigger photos…
can you use slides? If I remove the frames would these work or would they be to difficult to see?
@Elle, I would expect slides to work.
Excellent, just the type of instruction I was looking for. You’ve done a beautiful job with the transparencies. I’m wondering if you have any tips on how to permanently attach a domed resin cabochon to a metal bezel. X
You can either use mixed resin or E6000. https://shop.resinobsession.com/collections/tools-and-supplies/products/e-6000-epoxy-jewelry-adhesive
Thanks Katherine.
Hello and thank you for taking the time to write out your tutorial and especially for sharing your ideas and art with us all. I’m just now reading this- I just saw it on Pinterest, and I see that it is years years after you posted…so I don’t know if you’ll receive this it I have a question about your directions: after the transparency has been placed into the mold and on top of the 1/8 inch of resin, how much more resin do you (personally) pour on top? If you have the time, I’d really appreciate hearing back from you as I am a crafter of many things but have only been doing resin work for a short time.
Thanks again and happy making!
I pour enough to fill the mold. It’s usually another 1/8 inch (or more) of resin.
Did you use inkjet or laser printer? What’s a good printer?
I printed these with a laser printer, then had them printed onto transparency sheets at a copy shop. It’s been my experience that laser printers print a cripser picture than ink jet printers.
How long did you wait for the first pour to set up before adding the transparency?
any printer can print that sheet? my printer is old, could the sheet get stuck in it?
Not every printer will handle these sheets. If you are unsure, get a print/copy shop to do them for you.
The link to paper doesn’t work. Is it the adhesive kind