Safety First:

•I insist that you read all safety protocols for any equipment you are using before you start anything to do with dice making. Your health should always come first and you cannot look past safety.

•While the resin I use (Pro Marine) does not emit fumes, it is suggested that you use a respirator while working with resin and you should always work in a well ventilated area. If you find yourself getting light headed or dizzy while working with resin or silicone, stop what you are doing and go outside to breathe fresh air. 

•ALWAYS WEAR GLOVES. This is an essential when it comes to working with both resin and silicone. In my tutorial you will find me not wearing gloves and I apologize for that. Resin and silicone are both made of chemicals which can be harmful to your skin. I was trying to finish quickly because I had been sick for a few days but I had to keep on schedule, so I was careless.

•Wear eye protection. I have my trusty glasses to help me most times, but if you don’t already wear eye gear you need to get some. Getting anything dice-making related near or on your eyes needs to be flushed with water immediately.

•When sanding your dice, do not work in your house. You need to be working outside with eye protection and a respirator on (some even say to wear gloves). Resin particles are extremely fine when you’re sanding and it is terrible for your lungs. While wet sanding helps control all of the dust, it can’t catch all of it. You need a respirator, not a face mask. Face masks don’t protect you from particles that small.

•Do not overlook your own safety or there is no point in making the art you want to make.

Major tips for resin:

•Make sure you’ve measured out your resin completely equally.

•Mix your resin for a good while before pouring to make sure both parts are thoroughly mixed together.

•While mixing, don’t lift the stirring utensil and go slowly (but still thoroughly). This introduces less bubbles.

•Also while stirring, put the cup of resin into a bowl filled with hot water. This will make the resin more fluid and help the bubbles escape.

•Pour slowly when pouring into your molds. This introduces fewer bubbles.

•Once poured, tap each mold on the table for a few minutes to help any bubbles get out.

•If you feel comfortable with it, set your molds in hot water for a bit to warm up the resin again. This helps the bubbles get out.

•Do NOT let the resin come into contact with anything water based. 

Major tips for Molds:

•Buy plastic shot glasses. These are the best sizes for molds as to not waste silicone.

•There are many ways to make the sprue, but the way I found the most efficient is to use hot glue and straws. You cut a small bit of the straw off, hot glue one side to the middle of the bottom of the shot glass, then hot glue the top of that and put your die on that hot glue. Now it’s ready for silicone. (You can use non-drying clay to make the sprue too, it’s a similar process)

•Make sure you have equal parts of part A and B of silicone.

•Mix by not lifting the stirring utensil as to not introduce bubbles. Do stir thoroughly, just not vigorously.

•When pouring into the shot glass with your die set on its sprue, use the “bombs away” method, meaning pour from high above. This stretches the silicone so it pops any bubbles that would be in it. 

•Aim for only one corner of the cup. Let it fill naturally and once it’s filled above the die, you can pour wherever.