If you want to use paper for a project that is going to be epoxied, the first thing you need to do is seal it. This will help prevent any moisture from getting in and ruining your hard work.
Seal the entire surface of the paper with a waterproof sealer or varnish by brushing it on or rolling it on with a foam brush, according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Read more about how sealing paper before using epoxy resin can protect your projects in this article!
What Are Some Tips For Sealing Paper
Seal an entire sheet at once instead of only part of one if possible so as not to avoid dripping varnish onto other areas where there might already have been enough applied.
If applying paint evenly, move the roller in a single direction, not back and forth. Use thin coats of sealer instead of thick ones so that there are fewer bubbles to deal with when it is being dried.
Apply varnish or paint several times if necessary but don’t allow each layer to dry completely before applying another one on top of it, as this can create cracks in your finished project.
Let layers dry for at least 12 hours before putting any weight on them or touching them too much while they are still wet, otherwise, you might get cracking later down the road!
Someone who has had success sealing paper with resin may do things differently than someone else does some people like getting rid of bubbles while others think letting brush strokes remain will add more character to their project.
It’s best to go with what works for you if it isn’t right, fix it!
Table of Contents
- What Are Some Tips For Sealing Paper
- What Are The Benefits Of Sealing Paper Before Applying Epoxy Resin
- What Products Should You Use To Seal Paper
- What Are The Benefits Of Sealing Wood Before Painting Or Staining
- When Should You Apply Waterproof Resin
- What Are Some Things I Need To Know About Waterproof Resin
- Is Epoxy Resin Safe? Should I Wear Gloves When Working With This Product
- How Do You Seal A Picture Before Resin
- What Is The Difference Between Varnish And A Water-Based Sealer
- Can You Use Sprinkles In Resin
- Can You Put Epoxy Resin On Cardboard
- Can I Put Epoxy Over Mod Podge
What Are The Benefits Of Sealing Paper Before Applying Epoxy Resin
Using waterproof sealer or varnish will help prevent moisture from getting onto your work and ruining everything.
This can also reduce bubbles in paint when using pearls or other types of embellishments that need a glossy surface to stick well.
Without this protective layer, these materials can get damaged by water exposure which causes them to fade over time because their pigments come loose without the proper coverage.
If your artwork is going into an area where there might be high humidity levels such as on a wall near a shower stall, sealing first helps protect against damage due to mold and mildew that can accumulate on the paper.
What Products Should You Use To Seal Paper
Waterproof paint may be used, but is not recommended for delicate papers such as tissue or tracing paper, these are more likely to tear when handled with force.
A matte finish will give a flat look while satin provides a shiny appearance without being too glossy which might make colors appear washed out if they contain warm tones like reds and yellows.
There are even some varieties of varnish designed specifically for resin-based projects! Make sure whatever product you choose says it is safe to use on porous materials so that your artwork won’t become damaged from chemicals in the coating.
If there isn’t mention of this on the label, it’s probably best to avoid using that particular product when making art with epoxy resin.
What Are The Benefits Of Sealing Wood Before Painting Or Staining
Sealing wood is different than sealing paper because there isn’t any risk of water damage ruining your project if it gets exposed while wet since wood can handle being submerged in its natural state.
If your piece will be going outdoors where rain might get on it though, use a waterproof sealer just as an extra precaution so that moisture doesn’t cause stains or discoloration.
If you want to seal your wood before applying paint or stain, choose a varnish made specifically for this purpose which is water-based and non-toxic so it won’t affect the look of your project!
Some people also use shellac as an alternative if they don’t like using synthetic coatings on natural materials because it dries quickly without leaving behind fumes that might irritate sensitive noses.
When Should You Apply Waterproof Resin
You can even do this after painting with oils too but be sure not to mix acrylics with oil paints in the same container these two types of mediums are incompatible with each other.
It’s best to wait until completely dry (about 12 hours) before adding another layer of resin because it can cause the paint underneath to wrinkle and become bumpy if applied too soon.
If you’re using transparent resin, this step isn’t extremely important but you should still try to wait until your project is completely dry just for consistency’s sake since epoxy doesn’t emit fumes that might damage painted surfaces like other types of resins do.
What Are Some Things I Need To Know About Waterproof Resin
Be sure not to use any kind of petroleum-based products on oil paintings or they may discolor over time! Not only does petroleum ruin artwork with oils by causing them to split apart so much faster than normal (called “delamination”), natural materials such as cotton canvas will absorb these chemicals which can lead to mold forming on your piece.
This is especially true if you’re using oil paint over a dark background so be sure to use regular acrylic or watercolor paints instead for sealing backgrounds with these materials, but always test first in an inconspicuous place just to make sure it doesn’t affect the coloring of oils!
Is Epoxy Resin Safe? Should I Wear Gloves When Working With This Product
There are some precautions that should be taken into consideration before beginning any project involving epoxy resins because they can cause irritation under certain circumstances.
It’s best not to work around other people who might be sensitive (such as asthmatics) since even small amounts of fumes may trigger allergic reactions like wheeze and shortness of breath which are symptoms that might require medical attention.
How Do You Seal A Picture Before Resin
There are many different ways to seal your artwork before using resin.
The first thing you should know is that it’s important to use a varnish made specifically for the purpose of protecting paper or else water could damage your art!
If you want to apply paint over wood sealing, always be sure the varnish has dried completely (about 12 hours) before adding another layer of varnish just to be safe.
Always test a small area for color-fastness when using oil or acrylic paints with resin because even transparent resins can affect the appearance of pigments! If you’re going to paint over your piece, use watercolors instead since they aren’t affected by epoxy resin in the same way oils are.
What Is The Difference Between Varnish And A Water-Based Sealer
A varnish has different chemicals in it that make it more effective for sealing wood while epoxy resins are made of completely synthetic materials. Since this material doesn’t emit fumes, there’s no risk of damage if resin gets on top of varnish.
Can You Use Sprinkles In Resin
Be sure to use sprinkles that are made specifically for resin projects because the chemicals in most sugar decorations could emit harmful fumes once they come into contact with the epoxy.
Can You Put Epoxy Resin On Cardboard
Absolutely! As long as it’s completely dry (about 12 hours) before adding another layer of resin you should be fine. Just make sure to test for color-fastness first because even transparent resins could affect the appearance of paint pigments on cardboard if applied too soon.
Can I Put Epoxy Over Mod Podge
It’s not recommended to use oil or acrylic paints over Mod Podge because they don’t adhere as well and can cause wrinkling if applied too soon.
Instead, always apply epoxy resin with a disposable brush for more even coverage without getting it on the sides of your project.