Botanical Resin Serving Tray

Dried botanicals, gold leaf, and earthy alcohol inks set into a large resin serving tray — a luxury centrepiece that takes patience but rewards beautifully.

Step-by-Step Instructions

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   Step 1

   Set your tray mold on a perfectly flat, level surface in a warm room (ideally 21–24°C / 70–75°F). Resin cures best at consistent room temperature — cold rooms cause surface texture problems and slow curing, while very warm rooms shorten your working time. Wear nitrile gloves and have all your botanicals, inks, and gold leaf arranged and ready before you begin mixing. Because this project uses a large volume of resin, organisation before you start is essential.

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   Step 2

   Mix resin in batches of no more than 200 ml at a time. Larger single batches generate too much heat through the exothermic curing reaction and can warp the mold, introduce excessive bubbles, or even crack. Mix the first 200 ml batch at a 1:1 ratio by volume, stirring slowly for three full minutes, scraping sides and bottom thoroughly. Allow to rest two minutes, then pour into the tray mold as a base layer.

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   Step 3

   Allow the base layer to cure until it reaches the consistency of honey or thick syrup — usually four to six hours at room temperature. This gelled state is the ideal time to add your botanicals because the resin is thick enough to hold them in place during the top pour but still fluid enough to bond with the next layer. If you add botanicals to fully liquid resin, they float and shift. If the base layer is fully solid, the top pour will not bond to it properly.

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   Step 4

   Arrange your dried botanicals face-down into the gelled resin, pressing them gently into position. Use the back of a spoon or a gloved fingertip to press them flat. Add drops of alcohol ink in earthy complementary tones around the botanical arrangement — amber, terracotta, sage, and warm brown work beautifully together. Swirl very gently with a cocktail stick.

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   Step 5

   Sprinkle gold leaf flakes along one edge of the tray for a luxurious metallic accent. Mix your second 200 ml batch of resin and pour it slowly over the botanicals to cover everything completely. Pass the heat gun over the surface to pop bubbles. If you need a third batch, wait until the second pour has gelled slightly before adding it.

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   Step 6

   Once the final pour is level and bubble-free, cover the mold with a propped cover to keep dust off and leave to cure for a full 48 hours completely undisturbed. Do not move the mold at any point during curing — even small vibrations can cause the botanicals to shift or the layers to develop visible separation lines. After 48 hours, flex the silicone mold gently to release the tray.