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Create an Agate-Inspired Paint Poured Serving Tray

In my opinion, paint pouring is one of those under-rated painting techniques. You can make all kinds of patterns including some really amazing agate and stone-look patterns. Creating an agate-inspired paint poured serving tray ( not for direct food contact)makes not only an object you can used every day, but something that is a conversation as a custom wood tray and an art piece. We had the extra fun of adding glitter to really make the stone pattern look realistic and give it a bit of sparkle!

agate-inspired paint poured serving tray with a vase of white flowers

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Supplies to make an agate-inspired paint poured serving tray

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Paint pouring medium

Paint pouring top coat

Clear polyurethane

Paint brushes

Plastic palette knife or spoon

Craft paints in choice of colors ( we used Deep Midnight Blue for the tray)

Craft Paints: Pewter metallic, Chocolate Metallic and Titanium White an pearl white, Extreme Sheen pearl (paint pouring)

Plastic cups or containers for mixing your pouring medium

Mica glitter

Gold glitter

A plain wood tray

Supplies for a geode agate inspired paint poured tray including craft paint, glitter and pouring medium

Paint the entire surface of your tray in acrylic craft paint. We used Navy blue and let dry. while the tray us drying, mix your paint pouring colors. We mixed the paint pouring medium with our colors according to the directions on the container. We also mixed a full strength navy blue and a 50/50 navy blue and white with  paint pouring medium to create the lighter blue.

Overhead shot of Paint pouring medium mixed with paint in cups

Once your colors are mixed, and your tray is dry, you can start pouring your paint into the tray using a technique where you pour each color into the center of the other. We started by first pouring white and then alternated colors on top. This pushed the last oclor outward to create rings of color.

Start pouring paint into each other for paint pouring

Continue to pour all of the colors on top of each other repeating colors. as they push out to the ends of the tray.

a hand paint pouring in a circle creating rings of color in a tray


Once all of the paint is poured, pick up the tray and tip it around until all all of the paint covers the surface of the tray. You want a think layer of paint covering every surface touching the edges of the tray. Clean up any wet paint on the edges if needed with a cotton swab.

tip the tray around to spread the paint for paint pouring geode

While the paint is still set, sprinkle gold and clear glitter on in a curved line pattern to mimic agate.

a hand holding Gold glitter to sprinkle in paint pouring

This will give it a fun sparkled and really mimic the crystals in a geode or agate!

A hand sprinkling on glitter into a paint poured tray while it's still wet

Let the paint and tray dry for at least 24-48 hours. It should be hard to the touch. At this time you can also shake off any glitter that didn’t stick into a trash container.

Pa hand pour inga top coat over the paint poured area

Once the paint is completely dry, pour the Top Coat over the paint poured area. Use a palette knife or plastic spoon to make sure it is spread evenly across the surface.and let that dry for 24-48 hours

spread top coat into corner

Once the top coat is dry, brush a light coat of acrylic sealer over the top to remove and stickiness and let dry! Your tray is ready to enjoy!

Geode inspired paint poured tray

Isn’t this agate-inspired paint poured tray it pretty?? it makes a great gift too! If you love paint pouring check out how to make a paint poured boho bowl.

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