If you’re a fluid or resin artist, you already know how important your canvas choice is. The surface you pour on can make or break your piece—literally. That’s where MDF boards come in. They’re strong, smooth, and versatile, making them one of the best bases for resin, acrylic, and mixed-media creations.
And ours? They’re extra special. Each board has a recessed back, giving you two ways to create:
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Flat side: A perfect surface for resin pours, acrylic paint, or other fluid techniques.
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Framed side: The recessed back doubles as a built-in floating frame, creating a professional, ready-to-hang finish right out of the box.
Why Artists Love MDF Boards
1. Perfectly Smooth Surface
Unlike traditional canvas, MDF has no texture or weave, meaning your paint or resin glides evenly. That translates to crisp cells, smooth color blends, and fewer air bubbles.
2. No Warping or Sagging
Because MDF is dense and rigid, it won’t flex under the weight of resin or heavy paint layers. That’s especially important for large pours or pieces with multiple resin coats. Real wood is porous so you tend to get more air bubbles and risk warping as compared to MDF boards. Regardless, we recommend sealing both types of boards just to be safe!
3. Dual-Sided Versatility
Use the flat side for standard pours or swipes. Flip it over to use the recessed side for a natural frame effect, ideal for creating framed resin art, 3D effects, or even shadow-box-style pieces. Our wooden inserts and metal inserts fit perfectly in the 14" square boards, and the 12" round boards are design to snap fit to our spinner for easy swap outs.
4. Professional Presentation
That built-in frame means your artwork can go straight from your studio wall to a gallery wall with no need for extra framing, nailing or picture mounting.
Tips for Working with MDF Boards
1. Seal the Surface First
While MDF is more stable than natural wood boards, before pouring resin or applying paint, we recommend you seal the board to prevent absorption and bubbles. You can use a clear gesso, acrylic medium, or even a thin layer of resin as a base coat.
2. Level Your Workspace
Because resin self-levels, an uneven surface will cause pooling or uneven edges. Use a spirit level to make sure your MDF board is perfectly flat before you pour.
3. Use Painter’s Tape on the Back
Protect the back edges (and the recessed area) with painter’s tape before pouring. This makes cleanup easy and keeps the edges neat once your piece cures.
4. Let It Fully Cure Before Hanging
Even if your resin feels dry, it needs at least 72 hours to fully cure. Give it time to harden before handling or hanging to avoid fingerprints or surface dents.
5. Experiment with Layers
The recessed back makes it easy to create depth with multiple resin layers. Pour one layer, add embellishments (like crushed shells, mica powders, wood or metal inserts, or metallic leaf), and seal it with another pour for a dimensional effect.
A Canvas That Elevates Your Craft
MDF boards aren’t just a surface, they’re a foundation for your creativity. With their stability, smoothness, and built-in frame design, they let your artwork shine from start to finish. Whether you’re creating bold fluid art, shimmering resin pieces, or mixed-media masterpieces, our MDF boards are ready for whatever you pour their way.