Mod Podge Dimensional Magic vs resin – which one should you pick? Find out the differences and what projects we recommend making with each.
“Mod Podge Dimensional Magic vs resin – which one should I choose?” This is a question I get a lot, and it’s time to answer! They are VERY different products even though they get compared all the time. Oh, and in my opinion?
They’re both awesome products and ones I use regularly. This post is not to try to convince you why the Dimensional Magic is better . . . it’s to educate you about when it’s appropriate to use each.
Dimensional Magic or Resin?
Well – let’s start with the similarities. Both of them are used as finishing layers on projects to create thicker, glossier layers than normal decoupage mediums such as Mod Podge can provide.
If you had two projects next to each other, one featuring resin and the other with Dimensional Magic, I’m not sure that you could tell the difference. The mediums both look glassy and provide a hard finish that makes a tapping noise when you tap on it. They’re both very solid.
But – they also have a lot of differences.
When You Would Use Dimensional Magic
Dimensional Magic was originally – back in the day – developed for paper and jewelry crafts.
‘Remember when scrapbooking was hot, hot, hot? This product was developed to make the clear, glossy effects you see on some stickers and other paper crafts. Here are some things that make it different from resin:
- it’s an acrylic, waterbased product
- it can be used right out of the bottle (no mixing)
- it’s non-toxic, meaning no materials in this product are toxic or injurious to humans (including children) or animals
If you want a glossy effect with a little dimension on something, you’ll simply pop open the bottle and squeeze this on, then let dry overnight to get that clear, glassy surface.
Now while It’s a hard surface – it can be dented if you try, AND it shouldn’t be left in water. It will start to break down. This is because it’s acrylic and that is what acrylic products do!
My primary use for Dimensional Magic is small areas: jewelry pendants, earrings, cards, etc. However, I have used it on items as large as trays (we’re talking like 9″ x 12″). It works well, but you’ll use several bottles of it. You may want to use resin on trays (we’ll get to that).
Just because Dimensional Magic is non-toxic, that doesn’t mean it’s food safe. It’s not. Do not put food items directly on top of this product when dry. You should also wash your hands if it gets on them. You don’t need to wear gloves or protective equipment while using DM (unless your skin is extra extra sensitive).
When You Would Use Resin
As far as I’m concerned, resin is used for larger projects or where heat and water resistance is important. Here are the main differences from Dimensional Magic:
- it’s an EXTREMELY durable product – more so than Dimensional Magic
- it’s toxic while mixing – contains hazardous components so you must wear gloves and protective equipment such as a mask or respirator if you are sensitive
- as I just mentioned, it’s a two part product that requires mixing and stirring
Plaid makes a brand of resin called Mod Podge Resin, that is a true resin and nothing like a decoupage medium. There are also many other two part resins widely available on the market.
The packages consist of a resin and a hardener that you will mix together, being sure (of course) to follow all safety precautions on the label.
When or where would I use resin? On countertops, tabletops, large scale art, to make jewelry (the beads/bracelets/earrings themselves), trays (that are larger or need to be heat/water resistant).
I think of resin in more of a DIY/home improvement or serious jewelry maker capacity, where Dimensional Magic is my go-to craft supply for a similar effect, but on a smaller scale.
Am I starting to make sense?
Oh, and in case you are wondering, you can embed items (confetti, glitter, buttons, etc) into BOTH Dimensional Magic and resin.
Resin can be used in a lot of the same places that Dimensional Magic can be used, but I wouldn’t mix it for smaller projects or paper crafts. For the effort I’m going to put in to mix, I only use resin when I need a REALLY tough solution. Which, sometimes the project requires!
When I’m considering Mod Podge Dimensional Magic vs resin for a project, here are the questions I would ask:
- How durable does my craft need to be?
- What is my surface – wood, paper, etc?
- How big is the area that I’m covering?
- Does my project need to be heat or water resistant? No Mod Podge is waterproof. However, resin is!
Let me know if you have questions about either one – or usage – in the comments!
I’m making scrapbooking paper tile magnets I have glued paper on with modpodge gloss glue and used modpode gloss – brillo sealer spray it doesn’t seem to be not glossy has it still sealed to protect paper so that I can epoxy resin over the them. If not sealed what other modpodge spray can I use so that I don’t have any brush strokes. I would really appreciate your information regarding this issue.
Thanking you
Hi Julie! I’m having a hard time understanding the question. Can you please join our Facebook group and post pictures of your issue? Thank you!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/craftywithmodpodge
I’m looking to encase a bullet fragment removed from a local police officer in a block of clear material. Which is better
You will definitely want to use the epoxy resin! Something like this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbOjt9kIFOw
I recently broke a special ornament that was my Nana’s. I would like to save it by coating it, maybe making a mold. Does anyone know if this antique will be ruined if I try this. I’m worried about the design. The glass is very thin. Hope someone can help.
Hi Ruth! If it’s glass, Dimensional Magic won’t ruin it!
Hi Amy
I just made an acrylic painting on a glass panel
What modpodge product can seal or make my work permanent and archival on the glass? Do i apply the modpodge classic? Or should i just spray it with modpodge clear acrylic sealer? Im also considering now the hardcoat and the resin as potential products. Thank you
Can spray sealant be used over the decoupage dimensional to make it water proof
So I’ve tried to spray seal Dimensional Magic and ruined it by doing that. It causes big spots. It is highly water-resistant as-is. However for waterproof – use the resin!
I have to express my complete and utter disappointment with Dimensional Magic. I’ve tried several different application techniques and no matter what I do it dries extremely cloudy every single time. I’ve wasted and ruined a few projects with this temperamental product. DO NOT USE IT. It’s extremely shocking to me especially since all other Mod Podge products are so wonderful and work so much better than this. Something wrong with the formula maybe? I’m not even close to the only one experiencing these issues either. Sad cause I was pretty excited about it too :/
Hi Adaam! I’m sorry you’ve had such a bad experience! I’d like to know more about your process if you can email me. Unless you’re just done, but I’d love to help if I can!
Hi! I’m making sea shell/shark tooth jewelry and I’m looking for something to help give it shine and protect it from possible wet and dry environments and decay, and for it to not have a thick coat, I don’t know if I should use MP Gloss or MP dimensional magic or resin? Or if there’s any other products of MP I don’t know that would help me?
Since you’re not decoupaging with it, I’d use Dimensional Magic. Definitely try a test, and you’ll want to have a way to hang the piece as the DM drips off. You don’t want it sitting in the DM to dry.
Hi there. I am looking to paint some brass buckles / embellishments for the front of shoes, and I am painting them with acrylic paint – I want to add a clear coat of something so it looks like a glass / solid finish, not sure what to use! I’m quite scared to use a rein that needs mixing as I have 1 sample so I can’t mess it up! Worried that the DM would not last. I guess it needs to hold in the rain, but they wouldn’t get completely drenched – they are summer shoes. Any help appreciated. Thanks
My recommendation is to use something like this: https://www.zoro.com/rust-oleum-11-oz-clear-engine-enamel-248944/i/G3460003/
It’s the most likely to stand up to wear and tear on the front of shoes. I wouldn’t use DM or resin either!
I have a vintage paper that I want to lay onto a melamine tray and seal it with resin to be used for a tray.As you mentioned that you don’t use resin on paper, what do you recommend? Thank you sooooo much for any guidance!
You can use resin on paper, but you need to Mod Podge it down first. Apply Mod Podge to the tray, then place the paper down, let dry 15-20 minutes. Then Mod Podge several times over the top and let dry overnight. Then apply the resin. You might need to sand the melamine a little bit or use a spray primer if the paper isn’t sticking to the melamine. But it should be fine given that you’re going to put resin over it anyway.
Why does the dimensional fuzz up alcohol based markers? It’s ruined a bunch of my projects and I’ve been incredibly disappointed 🙁 Any tips on how to make it stop?
Hmmmm – my guess is there is an ingredient in those markers causing the bleeding. I would use a clear acrylic sealer over the top. You might even be able to just use Mod Podge over the top – it works with Copic markers: https://modpodgerocksblog.com/using-mod-podge-with-ink-markers-pencils/
Just let the markers dry, put Mod Podge over the top, let dry, then use the DM. I’d do a sample first before trying another whole project!
Can you use the resin with a paint brush like you can with Mod Podge?
No, at least not if you want to be able to use it again. Depending on what you are doing it might be worth ruining a brush, but it’s very tacky and thick (the resin). DM is more easily brushable but still stickier than Mod Podge.
@Paul, you can get ‘brushes’ for resin which are silicone and look a lot more like glue spreaders. I find they work well if your resin has good fluidity, i.e. before it starts to kick/set.