🎲 How to Make Resin Dice with Rope Inclusions

Create stunning custom polyhedral dice with natural rope fibers suspended inside crystal-clear resin. This technique produces unique dice perfect for tabletop gaming with a rustic, handcrafted aesthetic.

📦 Materials Needed

Clear epoxy resin (2-part resin suitable for dice casting)
Silicone dice molds (7-piece polyhedral set: d4, d6, d8, d10, d12, d20, d%)
Natural fiber rope (hemp, jute, or cotton - cut into tiny pieces)
Measuring cups and stirring sticks
Tweezers or toothpicks (for precise placement)
Isopropyl alcohol (for cleanup and mold prep)
Fine-grit sandpaper (400-12000 grit progression)
Acrylic paint (for numbering)
Safety equipment (gloves, ventilation, protective surface)

Gather Materials

Start by assembling all your materials in a well-ventilated workspace. You'll need clear 2-part epoxy resin, silicone polyhedral dice molds, and small pieces of natural hemp or jute rope for inclusions.

💡 Tip: Choose natural fiber rope (hemp, jute, cotton) rather than synthetic - it looks better and is easier to work with for inclusions.

Mix Resin

Carefully measure equal parts resin and hardener according to your product's instructions. Mix slowly and thoroughly for at least 3-5 minutes to avoid clouding. Let sit for a few minutes to allow bubbles to rise.

⚠️ Safety: Always work in a well-ventilated area and wear nitrile gloves when handling resin.

First Resin Pour

Pour a thin base layer of resin into your dice molds (about 1/3 full). Using tweezers, carefully position small pieces of rope fiber into the partially filled mold. The rope should be small enough to see clearly but not so large it interferes with rolling.

Suspend Inclusions

Let the first layer cure until tacky (timing depends on your resin - usually 30 minutes to 2 hours). The rope fibers should stay suspended in position. This prevents them from floating to the top or sinking to the bottom.

💡 Tip: Test your resin's gel time with a small sample first so you know when to add the second pour.

Final Resin Pour

Once the first layer is tacky, mix a fresh batch of resin and carefully fill the molds to the top. Pour slowly to avoid creating bubbles around the rope inclusions. Let cure completely according to resin instructions (typically 24-72 hours).

Demolding & Inspection

Once fully cured, gently flex the silicone molds to release your dice. The rope fibers should be clearly visible, suspended inside the transparent resin. Check for any imperfections or bubbles that will need sanding.

Sand, Polish & Paint Numbers

Sand any rough edges with progressively finer grits (400 → 800 → 1500 → 3000 → 12000). Polish to crystal clarity with a buffing cloth. Paint the numbers with acrylic paint, wipe away excess, and seal if desired.

💡 Tip: Use a contrasting paint color so numbers are easily readable through the clear resin.

Your Finished Rope Dice!

Complete set of dice with rope inclusions

Congratulations! You've created a beautiful set of custom dice with rope fiber inclusions. Each die is unique, with the natural rope fibers creating a distinctive rustic look that's perfect for fantasy RPGs and tabletop gaming.

Enjoy your handcrafted dice set!