Mini Flip-Cup Acrylic Pour Coasters

9 Materials
$10
1 Day
Easy

If you follow my projects on hometalk, you’ll know I’m a huge fan of resin art, but today’s project is based on one of my other passions, acrylic pouring.


I’ll link all the products down below but hopefully you’ll have most of them already kicking about in your art cupboard so no need to leave the house to get started!


Coasters are my favourite thing to make and I have plenty for sale in my Etsy store! I’ve added the link below for if you’re interested in having a little browse.


WHAT YOU’LL NEED


  • Acrylic paints - I chose 4 colours with my white
  • Floetrol
  • Silicone
  • Water
  • Mixing containers and sticks
  • Blow torch or heat source like a lighter
  • Coaster bases


If you don’t have floetrol or silicone then you may still be able to do the acrylic pours without them but I find you get a much better result with better cells when you do. My instructions will be based on including these products but if you choose to leave them out, mix your paints with water alone.


I made coaster bases by putting cement in silicone molds but you can do your pours on wood slices, square tiles, basically anything.


YOUTUBE


I have a start-to-finish tutorial of this exact project on my YouTube channel.


Click the video link above to view. If you enjoy the video please give it a like and consider subscribing to my channel!


To visit my channel, use this link!


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PREPARATION


Elevate your coaster bases and protect your work surface.


I created these paint-catching devices. They’re extremely technical but with a lot of skill you may be able to make your own versions icon


Mine are made from old salad containers and bottle lids stuck in the middle.


MIXING YOUR PAINTS


Pour 1 part paint into a container and add a splash of water. Do this for every colour including your white.


Mix until well combined and the paint runs off your stick with the consistency of warm honey. If the paint is too gloopy then add more water but if the paint is too wet and drippy then you will need to add more paint. Start by adding a very small amount of water to avoid having to add more paint.


Now add 1 part floetrol to each colour and mix until you reach the same consistency as before.


Floetrol itself has the consistency you are wanting to achieve so adding 1 part of floetrol shouldn’t change the consistency. You could even pour a small amount of floetrol into a separate empty cup to check it’s consistency to see whether you’re on the right path with your paint mixtures.


Now using either liquid or spray silicone, add a very small amount to each colour except for the white. Then mix the silicone in very gently with just a couple of stirs.


The diagram above shows the ratios of paint to floetrol to water, but paint thickness can vary by colour and by brand so just remember to aim for that warm honey-like consistency.


I show this consistency in my YouTube video. Check this out if you’re in need of a further visual aid. Video link above.


PAINT POURING


Lay out your coaster bases on top of your paint catching devices and assign each one a mini plastic cup.


Now add a small amount of white to the bottom of each cup. The white is the key ingredient in carrying the other colours.


Now one by one, add a small amount of each colour into the mini cups, one on top of the other, until they are full.


MINI FLIPPING


Holding a mini cup in one hand, place a coaster base on top using the other hand and then flip them over so that the cup is now on top.


Give each cup a little tap on the head before lifting them off to reveal the mixed paint.


Either lift the cup straight up and off, or do as I did, tilt the cup to one side whilst simultaneously dragging it to the edge of the base.


Using either a blow torch or a lighter, heat the surface of each pour to pop bubbles and create interesting cells.


Pick up each coaster and tilt it around until the paint has spread across the entire base. Don’t worry if you lose paint off the sides, that’s what your catchers are for.


Tilt until you’re happy with how the paint is laying.


Use your blow torch or lighter again to pop any new bubbles that may have shifted to the surface and then allow the paint to dry completely.


Once dry, either coat with resin or varnish and add some felt feet if necessary.


I absolutely love all the different looks this exact same process gave each coaster simply because the paint does what it wants. No 2 pours are ever the same.


Thanks so much for checking out my project and please have a look in my Etsy store where I sell lots of unique pieces like this including many other coaster sets. Click here to visit my store and take a look.


Please also remember to check out my YouTube channel and click on subscribe for lots more crafty goodness. Links above.


Until next time!


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Frequently asked questions
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  3 questions
  • June June on May 16, 2021

    Hi I know you said can be made without the Flood or silicone but what I would like to know is What they do to the product that make you like to use them?

  • Patty Patty on May 17, 2022

    I've always loved these. Why do you add water if you're using floetrol?

  • Mara Vsn Mara Vsn on May 18, 2022

    Hi i was thinking in plates, saw this technique before but never tried it. Thought spilts too much paint. But Will give it a try.that brillante touch what is You use? Thanks

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