How to start a resin business: from hobby to hustle

Starting a resin business is a rewarding venture that combines artistic skill with business savvy. The market for these products is worth billions, with consistent demand for unique items like custom jewelry, home decor, and bespoke furniture.

This guide will take you through the practical steps of validating your business concept, acquiring equipment and inventory, building supplier relationships, and obtaining necessary licenses to help you launch a successful resin business in the U.S.

Step 1: Plan your business and validate your idea

Define your niche and research the market

Start by exploring platforms where resin art thrives, like Etsy and Pinterest. Search hashtags such as #resinjewelry or #epoxyart to see what products are popular, identify trending styles, and note how other artists price their work. This helps you find a gap in the market.

While you browse, it is a good time to analyze your potential competitors. You can use platforms like eRank or Marmalead for Etsy to see what keywords successful shops use. Note their product photos and descriptions to understand what connects with buyers.

Estimate your startup costs

A common misstep is to underestimate material costs and waste. Use a resin calculator app to accurately measure what you need for each project. With that in mind, you can build a realistic startup budget. Initial costs for a small launch often include:

• Epoxy Resin: A 1-gallon kit typically costs between $80 and $150.
• Molds and Pigments: Plan for $100 to $300 for silicone molds, colorants, and mixing tools.
• Safety Gear: A respirator, gloves, and glasses are about $50 to $100. Your health is the priority, so do not compromise here.
• Business Registration: State fees for an LLC or business license can range from $50 to $500.

Here are 4 immediate steps to take:

• Identify five popular product types within your chosen niche on Etsy.
• Create a spreadsheet to budget for your initial supply list.
• Download a resin calculator app to practice estimates for material needs.
• Look up your state's business registration fees on its official website.

Step 2: Establish your legal structure and get licensed

Most new resin artists form a Limited Liability Company (LLC). This structure protects your personal assets, like your home or car, from business debts. You can register your LLC through your state's Secretary of State website, with fees typically between $50 and $500.

Secure your licenses and permits

You will need a seller's permit from your state's department of revenue to collect sales tax. Many new owners overlook this and run into trouble later. Also, check with your city or county clerk for a general business license, which can cost $50 to $150.

If you operate from home, you might need a home-based business permit. These ensure you comply with local zoning laws. Processing for these permits usually takes a few weeks. For safety, review OSHA guidelines on handling resin chemicals, even for a small setup.

Here are 4 immediate steps to take:

• Decide between an LLC and a sole proprietorship for your business structure.
• Visit your Secretary of State's website to review the LLC registration process.
• Apply for a seller's permit through your state's department of revenue.
• Check your local city or county website for home-based business permit rules.

Step 3: Protect your business with insurance

Your next move is to secure insurance. General liability is the foundation, covering customer injuries or property damage. For a $1 million policy, expect to pay between $300 and $600 annually. This protects you if someone has a mishap at your market booth.

Product liability insurance is another layer of defense. It covers you if a customer has an allergic reaction to your resin or if a product fails and causes harm. This is often bundled with your general liability policy, so ask about a package deal.

Also, your homeowner's policy likely will not cover business inventory. Commercial property insurance protects your supplies and finished goods from theft or damage. This can add $200 to $500 per year to your costs. If you hire help, you will also need workers' compensation.

A frequent oversight is to pick a generic insurer. You might want to get quotes from providers that know craft businesses, such as Hiscox, The Hartford, or NEXT Insurance. They understand the specific risks of resin art and can offer better-suited policies.

Here are 4 immediate steps to take:

• Get a quote for a bundled general and product liability policy.
• Make a list of your inventory and equipment to determine your commercial property needs.
• Review your homeowner's insurance policy for business-related exclusions.
• Research your state's workers' compensation laws if you plan to hire employees.

Step 4: Set up your workspace and buy equipment

First, the workspace. You will want a dedicated area of at least 100 square feet. The most important feature is ventilation. A garage or spare room with windows you can open is a great start. A frequent oversight is poor airflow, which can create health risks from chemical fumes.

Before you buy anything, check your local zoning laws for "home occupation" permits. This ensures your business complies with city rules. If you look at a commercial lease, make sure it allows for chemical use and ventilation upgrades. This can prevent issues with a landlord later.

Now that your space is sorted, you can stock your studio. Beyond the resin itself, you will need a few items to get professional results. Many beginners try to skip these, but they make a huge difference in quality.

• Heat Gun or Torch: $20 to $40 to remove bubbles from resin as it cures.
• Digital Scale: $20 to $30 for a perfect resin-to-hardener ratio every time.
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): About $50 to $100 for a respirator, nitrile gloves, and safety glasses.

You can find supplies from retailers like TotalBoat and ArtResin. They offer starter kits for $100 to $200, which lets you test materials without a commitment to a large order. This is a smart way to manage costs when you first start.

Here are 4 immediate steps to take:

• Designate a 100+ square foot workspace with good ventilation.
• Check your city's website for "home occupation" permit rules.
• Price out a starter kit from two suppliers like TotalBoat or ArtResin.
• Create a shopping list for your PPE, including a respirator and nitrile gloves.

Step 5: Set up your finances and payment processing

Handle payments and deposits

For custom orders, it is standard practice to require a 50% non-refundable deposit. This protects you by covering material costs upfront. The remaining balance should be collected upon project completion but before you ship the item. Clear payment terms prevent misunderstandings with clients.

Choose a payment solution

When you choose a payment solution, look for low transaction fees and ease of use. Many new artists get caught by processors with high rates, which eats into profits. This is especially true for in-person sales at markets or fairs where you need a reliable mobile option.

For a resin business that needs to accept payments on-site, JIM offers a streamlined solution. With it, you can accept debit, credit, and digital wallets directly through your smartphone. Just tap and the sale is done, with no extra hardware needed.

At just 1.99% per transaction with no hidden costs, it is a strong option. Other providers often charge between 2.5% and 3.5%. This makes it particularly useful for selling at art fairs, pop-up shops, or taking deposits for custom work on the spot.

• Get Started: Download the JIM app for iOS.
• Make a Sale: Type the sales amount, hit sell, and ask your customer to tap their card or device on your phone.
• Access Funds: Your money is available right on your JIM card as soon as the sale is done - no waiting for bank transfers.

Here are 4 immediate steps to take:

• Draft a standard policy for a 50% deposit on all custom orders.
• List the features you need in a payment solution, like mobile access and low fees.
• Compare the 1.99% transaction fee from JIM with two other payment processors.
• Download the JIM app to explore its interface and features.

Step 6: Fund your business and manage finances

Secure your startup capital

You might want to look into an SBA Microloan. These government-backed loans range from $500 to $50,000 and are great for new businesses. You will typically need a good business plan and a fair credit score to qualify, with interest rates between 8% and 13%.

Also, consider applying for grants. The Amber Grant for Women and the Halstead Grant for jewelry artists are two popular options. These are competitive, so your application needs a strong narrative about your business vision. Unlike loans, you do not have to pay them back.

Plan your working capital

Many new owners only budget for the initial launch. You should plan for at least six months of operating expenses. This is your working capital, and it keeps the business running before sales become consistent. For a small setup, this is often between $1,500 and $3,000.

This amount covers ongoing material costs, shipping supplies, and marketing fees. To manage these funds properly, open a dedicated business bank account right away. Mixing personal and business finances is a common error that creates tax season headaches.

Here are 4 immediate steps to take:

• Review the SBA Microloan requirements on its official website.
• Check the eligibility criteria for the Halstead Grant or Amber Grant.
• Create a spreadsheet to budget your working capital for the first six months.
• Open a separate business checking account for your resin company.

Step 7: Hire staff and set up operations

Once your sales consistently pass $3,000 per month, you might want to bring on help. This frees you to focus on design and marketing instead of just production. Your first hire will likely be a part-time Studio Assistant.

Define roles and responsibilities

A Studio Assistant can handle sanding, finishing, and packing orders. Expect to pay between $15 and $20 per hour. While no specific certifications are needed, experience with crafts is a definite plus. A frequent mistake is not providing proper safety training, so be sure to cover chemical handling procedures.

As you get busier, keeping track of custom orders can get complicated. You can use a project management app like Trello or Asana to create boards for each project. This helps you track progress from deposit to final shipment and keeps communication clear if you have an assistant.

Here are 4 immediate steps to take:

• Draft a job description for a part-time Studio Assistant.
• Research average hourly wages for workshop assistants in your city.
• Create a one-page safety training checklist for handling resin.
• Set up a free Trello board to track your current and future orders.

Step 8: Market your products and find customers

Build your visual brand on social media

Focus your efforts on visual platforms like Instagram and Pinterest. Process videos, especially Reels showing you demolding a piece, often get double the engagement of static photos. Post consistently, about three to five times per week, to build momentum with the algorithm.

Many artists stumble by using poor photography. You do not need expensive gear. Use natural daylight near a window for clean, bright shots. For editing, a free app like Lightroom Mobile can make your product photos look professional and appealing to buyers.

Use paid ads and connect in person

Once you have some sales, you might reinvest a small amount into Etsy Ads. Start with a budget of $5 to $10 per day. A good goal is a 4x Return on Ad Spend (ROAS), which means you generate $4 in sales for every $1 spent on advertising.

Do not overlook local craft fairs. Booth fees typically run from $50 to $200 for a weekend event. These are great for getting direct customer feedback and making your first bulk sales. You can also build an email list for future online marketing.

Here are 4 immediate steps to take:

• Create a content plan for one week of Instagram posts, including two Reels.
• Download Lightroom Mobile and edit five of your best product photos.
• Set a test budget of $5 per day for an Etsy Ads campaign.
• Research the booth fees and dates for two upcoming craft fairs in your area.

Step 9: Price your products for profit

Calculate your base cost

A good starting point is a cost-plus pricing model. Use this formula: (Material Costs + Labor) x Markup. First, calculate the exact cost of resin, pigments, and any embellishments for a single piece. A digital scale helps you measure materials precisely to avoid waste.

Many new artists forget to pay themselves. You should set an hourly rate for your labor, perhaps between $20 and $30. Track the time it takes to create, sand, and finish an item. This ensures you are compensated for your skill, not just your supplies.

Set your retail price

With your base cost figured out, you can apply a markup. A 2x to 4x markup is standard in the handmade market. This covers your overhead, like transaction fees and shipping supplies, and gives you a profit. A 3x markup on a $15 base cost results in a $45 retail price.

Now, compare that price to similar items on Etsy or at local markets. If your $45 coasters are priced much higher than comparable products, you may need to adjust your markup or find ways to lower your costs. Your goal is a profit margin of 50% to 75%.

Here are 4 immediate steps to take:

• Set an hourly labor rate for yourself between $20 and $30.
• Calculate the total base cost for one of your signature products.
• Research the prices of five similar resin items on Etsy.
• Choose a standard markup multiplier (e.g., 3x) to apply to your costs.

Step 10: Maintain quality and scale your operations

Establish your quality standards

Your reputation depends on consistency. Create a final inspection checklist for every piece. Key checks include a glass-like finish free of dust, a fully cured surface that is not tacky, and uniform color. A frequent oversight is shipping items before the 72-hour full cure time is complete.

To measure this, you can track your rejection rate, which is the percentage of pieces that fail your inspection. Aim to keep this below 5%. Also, monitor your customer return rate for quality issues. This data helps you spot and fix problems in your production process quickly.

Know when to grow

Once you consistently hit $3,000 in monthly sales, or find yourself spending over 20 hours a week just on production, it is time to consider help. Hiring an assistant frees you to focus on new designs and marketing, which are the real drivers of growth.

As your product line expands past 50 items, spreadsheets for inventory become difficult to manage. You might want to explore software built for makers, like Craftybase or Inventora. They help you track raw materials, calculate profitability per item, and prevent stockouts.

Here are 4 immediate steps to take:

• Create a three-point quality checklist for every finished piece.
• Decide on a monthly revenue goal that will trigger your search for a studio assistant.
• Track your rejection rate for one month to get a baseline metric.
• Sign up for a free trial of an inventory app like Craftybase or Inventora.

You have a clear path to turn your resin art into a business. The key is patience, especially during the curing process, as rushing can ruin a perfect piece. With this roadmap, you are ready to build your brand, one layer at a time.

And when you start making sales at markets or take custom deposits, a simple payment solution helps. JIM turns your phone into a card reader with a flat 1.99% fee, so you skip the extra hardware. Download JIM to get started.