What Is Reslin®? The 100% Plant-Based Resin

Below we cover what Reslin® is, what it is made of, how to mix and cure it, and what you can make with it.

What is Reslin®?

Reslin® is a plant-based casting resin for decorative work at home. It was created as a kinder alternative to conventional epoxy, so you can pour, colour and finish beautiful objects without the harsh chemistry that usually comes with resin.

The headline difference is simple: Reslin® is 100% plant-based. In fact, it is the first 100% plant-based alternative to epoxy resin. Where standard resin is built on petroleum chemistry, Reslin® is made entirely from plant-derived ingredients.

What is Reslin® made of?

Like most epoxies, Reslin® has two components that you mix together:

• Oil, made from linseed (pressed from flax seeds), a natural oil used in paints and art materials for centuries.
• Activator, a natural activator derived from sugar beet molasses.

Both parts are plant-derived rather than petroleum-based, which is what makes Reslin® 100% plant-based. You mix them and a natural curing reaction turns the liquid into a solid, castable material.

One thing to know about the look: mixed on its own, Reslin® (oil plus activator) has a natural yellow colour. It is see-through, but not crystal-clear like traditional petroleum epoxy. That warm tone is simply part of its plant-based character, and you can build on it with colour, as we cover below.

Reslin® vs epoxy at a glance

The easiest way to understand Reslin® is to compare it with the material most makers already know.

• Ingredients: Reslin® is 100% plant-based (linseed oil + sugar beet activator). Most epoxy is petroleum-derived.
• Handling: Reslin® is plant-based with no harsh fumes. Epoxy usually needs good ventilation because of its fumes.
• Curing: Reslin® cures in a normal oven and is fully hard after 24 hours. Epoxy air-cures slowly over many hours or days.
• Best for: Reslin® suits small, indoor decorative pieces. Epoxy is often chosen for large or high-clarity pours.

Epoxy still has its place. But for small, decorative projects made at home, Reslin® gives you a resin-like result from a plant-based material.

How to mix Reslin®

Start by warming both components. At room temperature the activator has a thick, honey-like consistency, so it will not blend properly as-is. Place both the oil and the activator in the oven at 60 °C until the activator turns runny and pourable, only then will the two mix together smoothly. Always use a conventional oven for this, never a microwave.

Once warmed, Reslin®’s two components are mixed at a ratio of 1 part activator to 2 parts oil. Stir them together thoroughly, then blend in any pigment or additives while the mix is still liquid.

Not sure how much to make for your mould? Follow the clear step-by-step calculation guide on the Reslin® brand page, which shows you exactly how to work out the amounts you need.

We always recommend wearing gloves when you work with Reslin®. It is plant-based and gentle, not aggressive like some epoxies, but it is sticky and messy, so gloves simply keep your hands clean. It is also sensible to avoid contact with your eyes.

How to cure Reslin® in the oven

Unlike epoxy, Reslin® does not air-dry over days, it is baked in a normal oven. Once you have mixed your components (plus any pigment or additives) and poured them into your mould:

1. Let it rest for 20 minutes.
2. Bake for 20 minutes at 90 °C.
3. Bake for a further 20 minutes at 120 °C.

After baking, your piece is fully cured after 24 hours. Oven-curing gives a reliable, repeatable finish without a long wait.

Prefer not to use the oven? You can also let Reslin® air-dry, but this takes at least 48 hours.

Colours and additives

Reslin® blends easily with pigments and additives, so you can take it in almost any creative direction:

• Tints, change the colour while keeping the cast see-through, so you can pour transparent pieces in the shade you want. Browse the Reslin® tints.
• Mica powders, add shimmer and a pearlescent, metallic look. Unlike tints, mica makes the cast shimmery and opaque (not see-through).
• GlassRoxx and StoneRoxx, recycled-glass and granite granulate for texture and sparkle.
• Jesmonite® terrazzo pieces, scatter them through the mix for a classic terrazzo look.

Browse the Reslin® colour additives to see the full range.

Is Reslin® waterproof?

Yes. Because Reslin® is oil-based, finished pieces are naturally waterproof, there is no sealing step to worry about. That is a real advantage over porous materials like Jesmonite, which need a sealer before they meet water.

It makes Reslin® a great choice for bathroom objects such as soap dishes and trinket trays, as well as coasters, planters and anything else that comes into contact with water.

What can you make with Reslin®?

Reslin® is at its best for decorative pieces: small homeware, ornaments, coasters and objects for the shelf or table. Because finished casts are waterproof, it is also ideal for bathroom items like soap dishes.

It is especially lovely for jewellery. The plant-based formula suits pieces worn against the skin, and because it can be kept see-through with tints, it is perfect for pendants, earrings and charms. It is also handy for quick prototypes.

Cast fine detail with silicone jewellery moulds or coaster and tray moulds, and browse the full Reslin® category to see what is available.

Getting started with Reslin®

The easiest way in is a Reslin® kit, which brings together everything you need for your first pours. Add some tints or mica powders, pick a mould, and you are ready to make something you will be proud of, with a resin that is genuinely plant-based.