Are you also suffering from a serious case of board envy? Resin boards are so beautiful that I want to give a knighthood to a person who came up with this idea.
However, most of these boards require special equipment and decent woodworking skills. Today, I’ll show you how to make an easy (cheat) version that could be finished today.
But, if that was too simple for your taste, I also have a list of interesting tutorials and projects. Check out those if you are looking for a bigger challenge.
Before we start…
Cutting board is a… bit of a missed term here. You’ll probably not be able to use the finished product for actual cutting.
If you’ve poured resin before, you know that it can be chipped and scratched. If you take a sharp kitchen knife to it, you’d ruin the surface within minutes.
A serving board? Yes. A cheeseboard? Of course! A charcuterie board? Most definitely! A chopping board to cut all those veggies into mirepoix? Ahm, no.
Materials
Our main ingredient is not resin, but a pre-manufactured cutting board. Yes, this is a cheat version, so we will need a serious shortcut.
The board must be in good condition. It doesn’t matter if you are working with something you just bought or with a find from a yard sale. There should be signs of splitting, termites, and other damage. As those things continue to get worse, they will impact your design as well.
As for the resin, you can work with what you have (or what you can afford). Check out our tutorial on resin for wood.
There is an interesting video listed below that goes deep into this topic. Worth checking out if you want your board to be as functional as it is decorative.
DIY Resin Cutting Board – Step by Step
Step 1 – Prep the board
Inspect the board for any flaws or damage. Remove string or other accessories.
If needed, clean it with some soapy water. Make sure that it dries completely before moving to the next step. If it doesn’t need a wash, wipe the area where you will pour resin with acetone to remove any oily residue.
Step 2 – Tape the board
Tape the border on the front of the board where you want your design to end. Tape the back of the board completely for now as well, if you’re experimenting, this step is optional, but for the real deal, it’s a must! It will ensure that the back of the board is clean and neat.
Cut off the excess tape in the back. None should be coming out to the sides.
You can skip taping the border if you want a more free-flowing design, but cover the back still since it’s important for later.
Step 3 – Mix the resin
Prepare the cups, pigments, micas, glitter, or whatever else you want to add to the resin.
Be quick when mixing and don’t mix anything unless you’re ready to work straight away.
Step 4 – The pour
You can paint the area with white acrylic paint if you want the colors to pop.
Place the board on cups or something else to elevate it. Use your favorite pouring technique. If you want to create the wave effect, pour the resin into the squiggly lines and tilt.
Leave to cure before moving to the next step. In most cases, this will take at least an hour.
Step 5 – The back
Take your blowtorch and heat bits of resin that are stuck to the tape. The heat should also help the tape release as well. Take your time and don’t get the torch too close to the board.
Scrape the edges of any resin that is sticking out to create a smooth edge. If you have any larger drips, heat them with a torch for a moment before scraping them off with a razorblade.
Step 6 – Final touches
Add finishing touches as you wish. A cord for hanging, painted, or burnt names, initials, and/or dates, a set of matching cheese knives, etc.
If you’re packing as a gift, make sure to line the box with a generous amount of paper to protect the resin from getting scratched.
Care and Maintenance
Never wash the board the same way you would wash other dishes. Never put it in the dishwasher and never leave it to soak. Wipe down with a damp cloth or use a little soapy water if you must. It’s fine to disinfect it with plain alcohol.
Make sure to put it out to dry straight away and that it dries completely before storing it in a cupboard.
You’ll have to season the wood with oil from time to time. Mineral, linseed, or tung oil will do the trick. Wood honey is also a good choice since it’s food-safe.
If the board is getting smelly, you can give it a bit of scrub. Sprinkle some salt over the surface, then rub with a lemon or lime cut in half.
Tutorials from Around the Web
Okay, maybe the tutorial above is a bit too basic for you. You have the skills, tools, the drive to do something more challenging.
Here are some fantastic videos that will take you further into this topic and give you some awesome DIY resin cutting board ideas.
1. Beginner tutorial and tips
Though the tutorial above is meant for someone who doesn’t have much equipment and/or workspace, this is a great place to be if you want to level up.
This video by Jeff Mack Designs covers everything you need to know to start poring today, or as soon as you can get your hands on some of the materials. A must-see even if you already have some experience pouring epoxy resin.
2. Food-safe finishes
We quickly covered a portion of this topic above, but now it’s time to dig deeper.
Think of this video as Mythbusters but for DIY resin cutting boards. There’s some experimenting, some sciency bits, and even some lawyering. Not only will you learn more about the products and chemicals you’re using, but also what those labels on their packaging mean.
Additional caution to anyone who plans on making and selling resin boards: please, don’t skip this video.
3. The easiest way to pour
Something that will interest those who plan to sell their work. In short, a video that shows you how to use reusable resin molds and save yourself from having to make one each time you pour.
4. 100% resin board
No wood or carpentry skills needed. This is a 100% resin project.
Luxinda (awesome name) will show you how to work with resin and a silicone mold. It’s very simple, though you will need to get your hands on the appropriate equipment.
If you have experience with pouring resin, this is a good one to see what you should expect the final product to look like, and how everything jives with your favorite pouring techniques.
5. Charcuterie board by MacArthur Woodworks
For some readers, this was the type of board they wanted to make. It’s all kinds of zen and wabi-sabi, and utterly beautiful.
The only problem is that our creator is keeping quiet while working. So, you will have to have some woodworking and carpentry experience (as well as equipment) to be able to follow along.
At least he lists all the materials in the description so you can figure out where to buy that nifty poring frame.
6. Honeycomb board with handle by Sam Wilkinson
Let’s level up. There’s some drool-worthy equipment here, and the project may be too difficult or time-consuming if you don’t have it. At least, it’s a nice example of other ways to unleash your creativity.
Sam uses a Makita router to carve his design, and the fancy-schmancy one at that. A hand-held router would work just the same, as long as you have steady hands.
But, don’t let the lack of equipment put you off. Take a look at what you have in the shop, and start experimenting.
7. The most beautiful cheese and service board by Johnny Builds
Leveling up again. The title of the video suits its content.
This is one of those projects where you need to have the skill, tools, experience, time, and not something you signed up for when clicking on this piece. Yet, take a look at that masterpiece!
At the very least, this video will show you that there are no limits to how far you can take this simple technique.
Indie Artisans to Check Out
Giving up on this project but still want a resin cutting board? I found a few independent artists on Etsy that you can check out.
- Personalized charcuterie set by Fifth Design.
- Live edge resin board by Vintage Jordan Shop.
- Olive wood board with handle by TM Crafts Design.
- Ocean cheeseboard by Boey Art Studio.
- Olive wood personalized charcuterie board by Creative Designs by Bri