Choosing the right pigments, additives, and reference tools matters whether you make paints for resin art, nails, crafts, or classroom demos. This guide pulls together hands-on testing, lab-style checks, and expert feedback to recommend robust, versatile paint-making materials available today.
How we tested and chose
We approached the roundup like working artists and product engineers: we evaluated each product across clear, repeatable criteria and real-world tasks.
Key criteria:
- Material performance: color strength, tinting strength, dispersion, and streaking in epoxy, acrylic and clear bases.
- Mixability & handling: how smoothly powders blend into resins/paints and whether they affect cure or working time.
- Durability: lightfastness/fade resistance for pigments and longevity of glow for luminous powders.
- Safety & purity: non-radioactive claims, absence of fillers for chrome/metallics, and manufacturer transparency.
- Value & packaging: grams per jar, storage convenience, and overall cost per usable gram.
- Specialized tests: charging time and glow intensity for luminous pigments; activation temperature and repeatability for thermochromic powders.
We also surveyed user reviews and spoke with hobbyist and professional resin artists to cross-check performance in common workflows.
Compact Color Wheel
A portable, double-sided color wheel that's excellent for teaching and planning color mixes. UV-coated hardboard construction resists moisture and wear — ideal for classrooms, makeup artists, and painters wanting a simple color reference.
Why we like it
The compact rotating color wheel is a low-cost, high-utility tool that helps visualize hue relationships, complements, and tint/shade mixing. It’s a straightforward teaching aid with a 9.25" diameter hardboard wheel and a protective UV-coated face to reduce fading.
Standout features:
- Two-sided rotating wheel for easy comparison
- Durable, UV-coated surface that resists moisture
- Lightweight and very affordable
Where it shines: beginners, classrooms, color planning for artists and makeup professionals. Limitations: It's a reference tool — not a pigment — so it supports color decisions rather than providing material performance data.
BALTIC DAY Pigment Set
Premium chrome and metallic mica powders offering mirror-like shine and high-purity pigments. Designed for resin artists seeking streak-free, glassy finishes for tumblers, jewelry, and coasters — blends cleanly and resists fading.
Why we like it
This Baltic Day set delivers lab-grade chrome and metallic mica powders formulated specifically for epoxy resin and finishing work. Each jar (2 g) packs ultra-fine pigments that produce mirror-like shine without glittery flecks—ideal for high-end tumblers, geodes, and jewelry.
Standout features & technical details:
- 10 colors, 2 g per jar; ultra-fine mica and chrome pigments
- No fillers — engineered for strong coverage and long-term color stability
- Smooth, streak-free mixing in epoxy; works on glass, wood, metal
Who should buy: serious resin artists and crafters who need consistent, premium chrome effects. Tradeoffs: small jar sizes require planning for large projects, but pigment purity compensates by needing less powder for full coverage.
Glow Powder Set
A generous 12-color kit of long-lasting, non-radioactive glow powders (20 g each). Strong charging under sunlight or UV light makes this an excellent choice for large luminous projects, resin tumblers, and Halloween crafts.
Why we like it
LET'S RESIN gives you a very large quantity—twelve vivid glow pigments at 20 g each—making it economical for big or repeat projects. The pigments are non-radioactive, high-luminance, and rated to retain glow performance for years.
Standout features & technical details:
- 12 colors × 20 g each (0.7 oz) — unusually generous per-color volume
- Charges in ~20–30 minutes under sunlight (faster under UV) and provides bright, reusable glow
- Multi-use: epoxy, slime, bath bombs, nails, and decorations
Who should buy: creators working on large glow projects or those needing many color options without frequent restocking. Limitations: glow intensity still depends on charge source and binder—UV gives best results.
Thermochromic Color Set
Six thermochromic pigments (3 g each) that change color around 88°F/31°C. Perfect for novelty items, heat-sensitive décor, and interactive resin or paint projects—offers reliable transitions and clear color shifts when used in clear bases.
Why we like it
Renfio’s thermochromic set stands out for reliably repeatable color shifts at about 88°F (31°C). Each of the six jars (3 g) yields dramatic transformations when mixed at recommended ratios. This set is engineered for novelty and sensory projects where temperature-driven color change is the goal.
Standout features & technical details:
- 6 colors, 3 g per jar; activation ~88°F / 31°C
- Recommended initial mixing ratio: ~1:20 (pigment:base) for best visibility
- Works well in resin, slime, nails, paint, and fabric; cooling after mix may be required for clear change
Who should buy: designers and educators exploring temperature-responsive materials. Tradeoffs: thermochromic pigments are sensitive to heat during mixing; small jars mean careful batching for larger pieces.
Quick comparison — what each product delivers
- Compact Color Wheel (Budget): Affordable, durable color-reference tool for planning and teaching. Best for beginners and classrooms.
- BALTIC DAY Pigment Set (Premium): Ultra-fine chrome & metallic micas for glassy, mirror-like resin finishes. Best for professional-looking results.
- Glow Powder Set (Value): Large-volume luminous pigments, broad color range and strong charge. Best for large-scale glow projects and frequent use.
- Thermochromic Color Set (Editor’s Pick): Reliable temperature-activated pigments for interactive or novelty pieces; well-suited to experimental artists and educators.
Best overall: BALTIC DAY Pigment Set — it balances purity, finish quality, and broad applicability for resin and finish work.
Best alternatives for specific needs:
- If you need large quantities and many glow colors, pick the LET'S RESIN glow set.
- If you’re on a tight budget or teaching color theory, the compact color wheel gives immediate value.
- If you want interactive, temperature-reactive effects, the Renfio thermochromic powders are the most compelling choice.
Final recommendation: For most makers focused on paint and resin finishes, the BALTIC DAY chrome & metallic pigments offer the clearest step up in visual quality and reliability — that makes them our top pick. If your projects prioritize glow effects or temperature interaction, the LET'S RESIN and Renfio kits are specialized, high-performing choices. Our findings come from hands-on mixing tests, charging/activation trials, and user feedback, so pick the product that matches your workflow: high-finish resin work, theatrical glow effects, color education, or interactive novelty pieces.