What Is JESIN? Everything You Need To Know!

JESIN is a water-based acrylic resin casting material. What makes this different from an epoxy resin is that it is a polymer plaster and contains crushed gypsum, which lends to its nice, white appearance.

For those outside the US, you may be familiar with Jesmonite; JESIN a similar material with a longer working time, longer shelf life, and a more straightforward mixing ratio.

I’m writing this article from the perspective of someone with a lot of experience with another casting material –concrete.

And, of course, many of you reading this who have come to my blog before also have at least some experience working with concrete.

With this in mind, I will be sure to not only explain what JESIN is, the features and benefits, but also contrast and compare from the concrete maker’s point of view.

Things You Can Make With JESIN

• Home decor items like jewelry trays, serving trays, storage containers, vases
• Planters, coasters, and even decorative, intricate objects
• Use it to create a terrazzo effect on its own or with concrete.

The Features And Benefits Of JESIN

• JESIN is a durable and versatile material that you can use to make a variety of projects.
• It is sustainable and can be painted, drilled, and engraved.
• With a proper sealer, it is food-safe.
• JESIN is water-resistant using a sealer.
• It is fire-safe so is a great choice for candle-making.

How JESIN Compares With Jesmonite

Here is a chart showing the difference between Jesmonite and JESIN.

Differences Between JESIN And Concrete

• JESIN can be mixed inside your home, doesn’t flake or have a powdery residue, doesn’t require sealing to be used as a home decor item, is smoother to the touch, comes naturally white, and is easy to drill.
  
• Concrete should never be mixed inside your home. It can flake or have a powdery residue, requires sealing to be used as a home decor item, is not as smooth to the touch, and is more difficult to drill.
  
• Cement has a higher psi strength than Jesmonite. However, Jesmonite is still very hard and is lighter in weight. It allows for many creative options that can’t be achieved with concrete. 

Recently, I made colorful candle jars with JESIN, and these gorgeous coasters with gold kintsugi lines.

Similarities Between JESIN And Concrete

• Adding too much colorant can weaken the mix.
• Curing times can vary and are influenced by air temperature and humidity.
• Heats up while curing and cools when it’s ready to be removed from the mold.
• It needs to be vibrated to remove air bubbles or air pockets.
• It picks up texture and fine detail of anything it’s cast against.
• Food safe with a proper sealer.

Where To Buy JESIN

JESIN is available in the US, CA, and Europe. In the US and CA, you can purchase it online directly from the manufacturer (use code: Ellen10 for 10% off).

In Europe, you can buy it from Mrs. Colorberry.

Molds You Can Use With JESIN

The best molds to use with JESIN are silicone.

However, you can use many alternate materials as molds with JESIN, such as flexible plastic, closed cell foam, waxed cardboard, and melamine. 

Colorants You Can Use With This Casting Material

Of course, the pigments that are made for JESIN will work best, such as Colorberry Liquiments (link in the materials list below).

They will require only a tiny amount with maximum coloring. And you can be assured they will work with the material, not against it, nor weaken it when using the correct amount.

That being said, other types of colorants will work. I prefer to do my own testing and will likely write another post showing you my experiments with alternative colorants.

But in the meantime, here is some information I’ve gathered.

Many colorants will not be compatible with JESIN. For example, do not use colorants that are formulated for resin. They will break down the compounds in JESIN and damage the material.

What is known to work is liquid ink and acrylic paint– but only if the acrylic paint doesn’t contain oil or binders that aren’t compatible.

Without doing my own tests with the acrylics, I can’t tell you yet which brands will work. 

You can use mica powders and alcohol ink. Alcohol ink doesn’t provide much pigmentation.

Mica powders work, but I recommend you test small amounts first to be safe.

When I tried them in my limited tests, the color wasn’t as vibrant or as true to the color in the bottle.

How To Use JESIN?

Supplies You’ll Need For JESIN

• JESIN powder and liquid (use code Ellen10 for 10% off)
• Liquiments coloring (use code Ellen10 for 10% off)
• Mixing cup
• Plastic cup
• Nitrile gloves
• Safety mask
• Silicone mold
• Kitchen scale
• Craft sticks
• Vibrating machine or orbital sander
• Acrylic sealer
• Sandpaper, 200-1000 grit

The safety mask is necessary when you batch out the powder and measure.

Once mixed, it’s okay to remove the mask. You should also wear a mask when sanding.

Steps For Making DIY JESIN Decor

1. Mix the powder and liquid at a 2:1 ratio of powder to liquid.
2. Add the Liquiments coloring, if desired.
3. Pour the mixture into the mold.
4. Use a vibrating machine or orbital sander to remove air bubbles.
5. Let the JESIN cure for approximately 20-25 minutes.
6. Sand the JESIN with 200 grit sandpaper.
7. Apply an acrylic sealer.

In summary, JESIN opens up a world of possibilities for concrete artists, resin artists, and many other types of artists. It is a mixed media artist’s dream.

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