Have you wondered how these Etsy sellers create beautiful resin glitter personalised pens? I did too, so I dug deep into Youtube Videos, Tiktok Videos and the wide world web for the answers.
As a matter of fact I found Tiktok to be the most useful, watching the process over sometimes a 4 part video series. But they were the best for tips and tricks. I couldn’t find a blog explaining it all step by step, so that’s why I am here today to show you what I have learnt.
Although by no means have I completely perfected every type of pen nor am I an expert!!
Albiet here is my version of How to make resin glitter pens!
–Disclaimer: This blog post contains some affiliate links. If you purchase through them I do receive a small commission, but this is at no extra cost to you.–
What you will need;
- Papermate Ink Joy Gel 0.7
- White Spray Paint or Acrylic Paint
- Sanding Block
- UV Resin
- Glitter
- Vinyl
- Cricut Joy
- Isocol
- Kitchen Roll
- Plyers
- UV Torch
- Gloves
- Paintbrush
How To Prepare Your Pen
Firstly unscrew the tip of the pen off and empty the click top, ink and spring out of the casing. Set them aside in a safe place as you wont need them again till the pen is finished.
Secondly, snap the clip off the side by either using plyers or your bare hands.
It will leave a nib.
Thirdly, using the sanding block sand the whole pen down and then concentrate on the nib, making it level with the rest of the pen.
Using Isocol or Alcohol Wipes clean away any dust and dirt.
Either usuing a wooden dowl or we find a Biro works just fine poke the pen shell over the top. As a result it should fit snug as a bug.
Adding A Base Coat To Your Pen
Now its time to spray paint, use a paint that complements what colour your glitter is. If your not sure or cant find a corresponding colour use white. Also it will make any colour pop. Or if you are using Acrylic Paint just use a paintbrush to apply and leave to completely dry.
Spray the pen shell evenly, making sure you are outside in the open air. Also wear a mask to shield your lungs from the fumes. Because of overspray use an old cardboard box to protect the surface around you.
Leave the paint to dry for how ever long the can states. It took ours around 30-45 mins.
Tip: If your paint has pooled or thicker in one spot, just give it a quick sand down and another wipe with an Alcohol Wipe or Isoprol.
Add Your Glitter
The next stage has two options;
Either coat the pen shell in Mod Podge using a paintbrush, then sprinkle your glitter over. Leave for 2 hours to dry properly
or
Cut a finger off of a pair of disposable gloves, pop a mask on (make sure you are in a well ventilated room) and apply a thin coat of your UV Resin.
Then sprinkle the glitter onto it.
How To Cure Your UV Resin
Once this is done, put it under your UV Torch for 30 seconds to seal. This will now be ready for the step – no drying time needed after cured.
If you are a slow worker the UV is the best option as Mod Podge can start drying very quickly after application and glitter may not stick to the whole of the surface. If this happens with either methods you can just apply another layer.
Regardless of which method you have chosen take your UV Resin and apply another coat of it, cure this for 30 seconds with your UV Torch.
Furthermore take your sanding block and slightly wet it. Sand the pen all over till it is smooth.
Get your Isocol and kitchen paper and clean any dust from the pen shell. Undeniably it will look a little dull but don’t worry this is perfectly normal.
Create Your Vinyl With Cricut Joy
Enter the Cricut software for your Cricut Joy and make your vinyl wording to add to the pen shell. Also align the vinyl along the pen where you wish to apply and stick it down making sure there are no air bubbles.
Once it is in place apply a another layer of UV Resin, as you start to apply the resin you should notice the gorgeous sparkle and vibrant colour of the glitter coming back to life. Undoubtably this is my fave part of the process as it looks so pretty!
Afterwards put it under the UV Torch for 1 minute.
Use and exacto knife to clean up the edges otherwise the pen parts wont fit back in. Assemble your pen!
Lastly get your kitchen paper and Isocol and rub over the pen to remover any stickiness and tadaaa you have a one of a kind personalised pen for your office!
Thanks for reading our Easy Tutorial – How to make a Resin Glitter Pens and we would love you to let us know how you go by leaving us a comment below!
Until the next craft,
The Craft Chaser x
What Resin Do You Use For Pens?
You can use standard epoxy or UV resin, both will give you the same result. However UV Resin is way more convenient.
Can You Make Resin Pens With UV Resin?
Yes, UV Resin is the ideal resin to use for resin pens as its fast curing and so easy to work with.
What Pens Are Best To Make Resin Pens?
We found the Paper Mate Ink Joy pens are the best to work with as you can deconstruct every element, allowing you to modify the external case of the pen without compromising the internal mechanisms.
How Does The Glitter Pen Work?
We are only modifying the outside case of the pen. Therefore the internal mechanisms still work just as normal.