How much resin for a 16 × 20 canvas?
A 16 × 20 in canvas needs about 24.4 fluid ounces (721 milliliters) of mixed resin for a full 1/8 inch coat, including 10% extra — 12.2 fluid ounces of each part for a 1:1 resin, all in one batch.
How to work it out
- Area: 20 in × 16 in = 320 sq in
- 320 sq in × 1/8 in = 40 cu in = 22.2 fl oz; + 10% = 24.4 fl oz (≈ 26.7 oz on a scale)
- Mix ratio 1 : 1 by volume, SG A 1.15 / B 0.95 (typical, not published by the maker — type your data sheet’s SGs for exact weights) → Part A 12.2 fl oz (14.6 oz) + Part B 12.2 fl oz (12.1 oz)
At about 2.2 sq ft, a 16 × 20 is one of the most common stretched-canvas sizes and the point where a 32 fl oz (1 quart) kit starts to feel small: one full coat fits with about 7.6 fl oz spare, but a second coat or a run over the sides does not.
Adjust for your project
More options: waste · ratio · SG A …
- Whole batch by weight, incl. waste (kitchen scale)
- 26.7 oz (757 g)
- Kits to buy
- 1 kit
- Mixing batches
- 1 batch
- When mixing — Part A (resin)
- 12.2 fl oz (361 ml)
- When mixing — Part B (hardener)
- 12.2 fl oz (361 ml)
- Part A by weight
- 14.6 oz (415 g)
- Part B by weight
- 12.1 oz (342 g)
- Left over from the last kit
- 7.62 fl oz (225 ml)
- What to buy: 1 × 32 fl oz art resin kit. Each kit has both bottles (resin + hardener) — you don’t buy them separately. Looking at a different kit size? Change Kit size above.
- fl oz = measured in a cup; oz = weighed on a scale. Use whichever your resin label gives.
Kits and leftover by kit size (16 × 20 at 1/8 in)
| Kit size (A + B) | Kits to buy | Left over from the last kit |
|---|---|---|
| 16 fl oz kit | 2 kits | 7.62 fl oz |
| 32 fl oz kit | 1 kit | 7.62 fl oz |
| 64 fl oz kit | 1 kit | 39.6 fl oz |
What to know about a 16 × 20 canvas
Decide on the edges before you buy. Most 16 × 20 canvases are either standard (about 3/4 in deep) or gallery-wrapped (about 1 1/2 in). Coating the deeper edges takes the total to about 32.6 fl oz — a hair over one quart kit — so if you want wrapped edges, buy a half-gallon (64 fl oz) kit or two quarts and don’t try to stretch one.
Two coats are common at this size: a first coat to seal a textured painting or fill low spots, and a second for the glassy finish. Two full coats come to about 48.8 fl oz, the same as the 1/4 in option in the calculator; a 64 fl oz kit covers both with roughly 15 fl oz left. Mix each coat as its own batch and pour the second only when the first allows it — ArtResin’s method is either wet-on-wet once the first coat has thickened to a gel (soft but no longer runny), or fully cured and lightly sanded.
The mistake to avoid is a sagging canvas. About 26.7 oz of mixed resin (1.7 lb) is enough to make the middle of a 16 × 20 dip, and the resin runs downhill into the dip, leaving the corners thin. Slide a piece of card or a stack of books under the centre so it touches the back of the canvas before you pour.
For a square that’s a bit smaller, see how much resin for a 12x12 canvas; one size up, how much resin for an 18x24 canvas is where one quart kit stops being enough.
Different size? Use the full Resin Art Calculator.
What you’ll need
- Clear art resin kitMid-range price
Coating resin sold for paintings, prints and small crafts. Look for UV-resistance claims and the pour depth on the label.
See options on Amazon (opens in a new tab) - Graduated mixing cups & stir sticksBudget price
Small cups marked in ounces and ml for art, coasters and tumblers. Use a fresh cup when you transfer to a second container.
See options on Amazon (opens in a new tab) - Heat gun or small torchMid-range price
A quick pass over the fresh pour pops surface bubbles. Keep it moving — lingering scorches the resin.
See options on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Links to products are affiliate links — they cost you nothing extra and help keep these calculators free.
Frequently asked questions
How much resin for a 16x20 canvas with the sides coated?
About 32.6 fluid ounces with 1 1/2 inch sides and 10% extra — 2 kits of 32 fl oz, so a half-gallon kit is the simpler buy.
How much resin for two coats on a 16x20 canvas?
About 48.8 fluid ounces for two full 1/8 inch coats with 10% extra — mix each coat as a separate batch of about half that.
How much resin for a 16x20 canvas at 1/16 inch?
About 12.2 fluid ounces with 10% extra — 6.1 fl oz of each part, spread thin rather than left to self-level.
Other common sizes
- How much resin for an 8x10 canvas — 6.1 fl oz
- How much resin for an 11x14 canvas — 11.7 fl oz
- How much resin for a 12x12 canvas — 11 fl oz
- How much resin for an 18x24 canvas — 32.9 fl oz
- How much resin for a 24x36 canvas — 65.8 fl oz
- How much resin for a 30x40 canvas — 91.4 fl oz
- How much resin for a 36x48 canvas — 151 fl oz
- How much resin for a 50x70 cm canvas — 1,155 ml
Sources
- ArtResin — How much ArtResin do I need? (opens in a new tab) — About 4 oz of mixed resin per square foot; self-levels at about 1/8 in
- ArtResin — FAQ (opens in a new tab) — About 45 minutes of working time; 75–85°F; covering the edges vs letting the resin dome
- Epoxyworks — Controlling exotherm (opens in a new tab) — Large batches heat up and gel faster; mix smaller batches or spread the resin out to extend working time