Behind the Scenes: Our Custom Design Process

Creating custom epoxy resin furniture is both an art and a science. At Actiningal, every piece we craft tells a unique story—your story. Our custom design process has been refined over years of experience, combining traditional Swedish craftsmanship with cutting-edge techniques to bring your vision to life. Today, we're pulling back the curtain to show you exactly how we transform ideas into extraordinary pieces of functional art.

Phase 1: Discovery and Vision Alignment

Every custom project begins with understanding. We believe that the best designs emerge from deep conversations about your needs, preferences, and the space where your piece will live.

Initial Consultation

Our design journey starts with a comprehensive consultation, either in person at our Stockholm workshop or via video call for international clients. During this session, we explore:

Functional Requirements: How will you use the piece? What dimensions work best?
Aesthetic Vision: What colors, patterns, or natural elements inspire you?
Space Context: How does this piece fit into your existing decor and architecture?
Budget and Timeline: What investment level works for you, and when do you need completion?
Personal Story: Are there meaningful elements you'd like incorporated?

Inspiration Gathering

We encourage clients to share inspiration images, color swatches, fabric samples, or even natural objects that resonate with their vision. One memorable project began with a client bringing us a piece of sea glass from their honeymoon beach—which became the inspiration for an entire dining table design.

Site Assessment

For larger pieces, we often conduct site visits to understand lighting conditions, traffic patterns, and how the piece will interact with its environment. This attention to context ensures your custom piece feels like it belongs.

Phase 2: Conceptual Design and Exploration

With a clear understanding of your vision, our design team begins the creative exploration phase. This is where artistry meets engineering.

Concept Sketching

Our lead designer, Erik Magnusson, begins with hand-drawn sketches that capture the essence of your vision. These initial concepts explore different approaches to form, proportion, and composition. We typically present 3-5 distinct concepts that interpret your brief in different ways.

Material Exploration

Simultaneously, we begin experimenting with materials and techniques. This might involve:

Creating small-scale color and pattern samples
Testing different wood and resin combinations
Experimenting with inclusion materials (stones, metals, organic elements)
Evaluating different finishing techniques

Digital Visualization

Once we've narrowed down the direction, we create detailed digital renderings that show how your piece will look in context. These 3D visualizations help you understand proportions, colors, and how light will interact with the finished piece.

Phase 3: Technical Development

Beautiful design must be supported by solid engineering. This phase ensures your piece will be both stunning and structurally sound.

Structural Engineering

Our team analyzes load requirements, stress points, and joint design to ensure your piece will withstand daily use for decades. This is particularly crucial for larger pieces like dining tables or structural elements.

Material Specifications

We finalize exact material specifications, including:

Epoxy resin formulation and additives
Wood species and grain orientation
Hardware and mounting systems
Finishing materials and techniques

Production Planning

We create detailed production schedules that account for curing times, weather conditions (which can affect resin behavior), and quality control checkpoints. This planning ensures we can meet your delivery timeline without compromising quality.

Phase 4: Prototyping and Refinement

For complex or innovative designs, we often create scaled prototypes or test sections to validate our approach.

Scale Models

Complex pieces may warrant creating 1:4 or 1:2 scale models that allow us to test proportions, joint details, and overall aesthetics before committing to full-scale production.

Material Testing

We create sample pieces using your exact material specifications to ensure color accuracy, pattern flow, and finishing quality. These samples become your approval references for the final piece.

Client Review and Approval

Before beginning full production, we present all materials, samples, and final technical drawings for your approval. This is your opportunity to request any final adjustments.

Phase 5: Master Craftsmanship

With design and materials finalized, our master craftsmen begin the careful process of bringing your vision to life.

Material Preparation

Every project begins with meticulous material preparation:

Wood Selection: We hand-select boards for grain pattern and color consistency
Milling and Joinery: Precision cutting and joining using traditional Swedish woodworking techniques
Surface Preparation: Multiple stages of sanding and cleaning to ensure perfect resin adhesion
Form Construction: Building precise molds and dams for resin pours

The Resin Pour

This is often the most dramatic moment in the process. Depending on the design, we may execute multiple pours, each requiring precise timing and environmental control:

Environmental Control: Temperature and humidity are carefully managed
Resin Preparation: Exact mixing ratios and additive integration
Artistic Application: Creating patterns, swirls, or embedding elements
Bubble Elimination: Using heat guns and vacuum chambers to ensure clarity

Curing and Monitoring

The curing process can take 24-72 hours, depending on thickness and environmental conditions. We monitor temperature and progress throughout this critical phase.

Phase 6: Precision Finishing

Once fully cured, the real artistry of finishing begins. This phase can take as long as the construction itself.

Initial Shaping

We begin with rough shaping using specialized tools designed for working with cured resin. This includes:

Removing excess material and achieving final dimensions
Creating smooth transitions between wood and resin
Establishing edge profiles and details

Progressive Sanding

Our finishing process involves up to 12 different sanding grits, starting with coarse removal and progressing to ultra-fine polishing:

80-120 grit: Initial shaping and imperfection removal
220-400 grit: Surface smoothing and scratch removal
600-1000 grit: Pre-polish preparation
1500-3000 grit: High-gloss development

Final Polishing

The final polishing phase uses specialized compounds and techniques to achieve the signature Actiningal finish—a depth and clarity that makes resin areas appear almost liquid.

Phase 7: Quality Assurance

Before any piece leaves our workshop, it undergoes rigorous quality control.

Structural Testing

We test load-bearing capacity, joint integrity, and overall stability to ensure your piece meets or exceeds safety requirements.

Aesthetic Inspection

Every surface is examined under multiple lighting conditions to ensure consistent color, pattern flow, and finish quality.

Photographic Documentation

We create detailed photographs of your completed piece for our records and your documentation.

Phase 8: Delivery and Installation

The final phase ensures your piece arrives safely and is properly installed in its new home.

Protective Packaging

Each piece is custom-wrapped using sustainable materials designed to protect against impacts, moisture, and temperature changes during transport.

White-Glove Delivery

For local deliveries, our team personally delivers and installs your piece. For distant locations, we work with specialized art handling companies.

Installation and Setup

We ensure proper placement, check for any transport damage, and provide care instructions tailored to your specific piece.

Ongoing Relationship

Our relationship doesn't end with delivery. We provide:

Care Instructions

Detailed, piece-specific care guidelines to help you maintain your investment.

Warranty and Support

Comprehensive warranty coverage and ongoing support for any questions or concerns.

Maintenance Services

Annual maintenance visits for high-value pieces, and repair services if needed.

The Art of Collaboration

What makes our process special isn't just the technical expertise—it's the collaborative spirit that infuses every project. We see ourselves as partners in creating something meaningful for your space and your life.

Every piece that leaves our workshop carries a part of our passion for the craft, combined with the personal vision you've shared with us. This fusion of artisan skill and client vision is what creates furniture that's not just functional, but truly extraordinary.

Ready to Begin Your Journey?

If you're considering a custom piece, we'd love to hear about your vision. Our process is designed to be collaborative, transparent, and enjoyable. Whether you have a clear idea or just a feeling about what you want, we're here to help transform that inspiration into a piece you'll treasure for a lifetime.