The best thing about plaster is that it’s easy to find , easy to work with and cheap. What I don’t love about it is that is soft and breaks so easily. It is also difficult to get it to retain a deep color that’s not pastel. I have search the internet high and low to find something that would improve plaster durability to create unique and beautiful pots. In this post I show how I improve plaster durability by using a acrylic binding agent. For my pots I am using really cool 3D printed pots from a design I found Alexandre Chappel. He offers this design FREE on his website OR you can download it from Thingiverse. I love this design not only because it’s beautiful, but because the 3 outer part design makes it easy to remove the cast. In his YouTube Tutorial (I highly recommend you check out his videos!) he uses Jesmonite, but that is not easily available here in the states and it’s very expensive to have it shipped. This is a cheap solution to Jesmonite that gives a similar lightweight durable result.

To do this easy and quick plaster planter project all you need are:

1. A mold (I used a 3D PLA mold that I made with the ENder3 3D printer).
2. Acrylic Fortifier – I used SIKA 187782 Concrete Bonding Adhesive and Acrylic Fortifier
3. Plaster of Paris . I got mine from Amazon, but you can get this at your local hardware store.
4. Mold release- I used Mann’s 200.
5. Spray Paint color of your choice
6. Sand paper
7. Clear Coat spray
8. Packing Tape
9. Mixing containers

These are the easy steps I used to create the plaster planter or plaster pot you see here. Before you start determine how much plaster you will need by assembling the mold and pouring in measured water. My mold holds a little less than 2 cups.

1. Spray the inside of the mold with a releasing agent I used Mann’s 200.
2. Assemble the mold. I also used a balloon to cover the insert to help with easy release later.
3. Tape the mold tightly together and seal the seals.
4. Spray again with Mann’s 200.
5. Pour the Acrylic Fortifier into a mixing container. I poured 2 cups
6. Add plastic to the liquid 1/2 cup at a time.
7. Mix after the plaster falls into the liquid
8. Add up to 3 cups of plaster (3:2 ratio 3 cups plaster 2 cups liquid)
9. Mix for a few minutes until all the clumps are dissolved and mixed as best as you can
10. pour mixture and fill about 1/3 of mold
11. Tap mold to make sure liquid is down to base
12. Add spray paint to mixture
13. Pour remaining mixture into mold
14. Set for 24 hours. I released mine in 6 hours, BUT it’s still wet and soft and could easily break. SO if you are impatient like me just remember to be very very careful.
15. Remove tape
16. Carefully release the cast from the mold
17. Wait for it to be fully cure (at least 48 hours from pour)
18. Drill a water hole if you want (optional)
19. Sand the edges and print lines
20. Spray with a protective topcoat

That’s it, you made your planter. It really is just prep, mix, pour, wait and release. I love the look of this unique planter and I hope you do too. Below is my video tutorial. Enjoy and happy printing.