How to Choose a Diamond Painting Kit
This guide covers what to weigh up when choosing a diamond painting kit: size and time, drill shape, difficulty, special drills and what's in the box. Each kit's own details are listed under About This Painting on its product page.
Size and time
The size shown is the size of the finished picture in centimetres. Every design is full drill: the whole picture is covered with drills. A larger canvas holds more drills, so details come through better, but the work takes longer. A 40 × 50 cm kit, for example, has about 32,000 square drills or about 25,000 round ones.
The Size filter on our collection pages groups sizes into four classes:
| Size class | Area | Examples | Typical time* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small | up to 900 cm² | 20 × 20, 30 × 30 cm | 20 × 20 cm: 5–10 h |
| Medium | 901–2,000 cm² | 30 × 40, 40 × 50 cm | 40 × 50 cm: 25–70 h |
| Large | 2,001–3,600 cm² | 40 × 60, 50 × 70 cm | 50 × 70 cm: 50–120 h |
| Extra large | over 3,600 cm² | 60 × 80 cm and larger | 60 × 80 cm: 70–170 h |
* With square drills. With round drills the same size takes roughly a third less time.
Each product page shows the kit's own estimate, based on the number and shape of the drills and how scattered the colours are. In the table, the lower figure is an experienced crafter's pace and the higher one a beginner's.
Square or round drills
Square drills (2.5 mm) sit edge to edge and give a tight, even surface, but keeping the rows straight takes care. Round drills (2.8 mm) are quicker to place and need less precise lining up. Small gaps remain between them, so the canvas shows through a little up close.
The product page lists the drill shape. Each canvas is made for one shape, so the two can't be swapped. More in round vs square drills.
Difficulty and colours
Difficulty is rated on a five-step scale up to Master. It depends on the size, the drill shape, the number of colours and how scattered the colours are: when the colour changes often from drill to drill, the work needs more precision. Square drills raise the level because they need more careful placement, and more colours mean more bags and symbols to follow.
For a relaxed start, have a look at our easy diamond painting kits.
Special drills (AB and PD)
A design can include special drills: AB (Aurora Borealis) drills with a coating that shimmers in rainbow tones, or PD (Pixie Dust) drills with fine glitter inside. A special drill is the same colour as the ordinary one; it just adds shimmer or sparkle to that spot. Kits that have them show an AB or PD badge on the product page, and the special drills are already placed where they suit the picture. The Special Drills filter on collection pages finds these kits.
What's in the box
- an adhesive canvas with printed symbols and a protective film
- drills sorted by colour in bags
- a colour list and a quick guide
- a drill pen and wax
- a sorting tray and tweezers
Nothing else is needed. Optional extras include sealer, release paper sheets and a light pad (diamond painting accessories). If you frame the finished piece behind glass, choose a frame deep enough that the glass doesn't press on the drills.
Diamond painting from your own photo
You can also order a kit made from your own photo: choose the size and drill shape and upload the photo. We check every photo by hand before production and get in touch if something won't work well in drills. The more small details the photo has, the larger the size you should choose.
To see the result before ordering, design the kit yourself in our diamond painting editor: upload a photo or create one with AI, choose the size and see a preview straight away.
Order a custom diamond painting from your photo · Diamond painting editor · Choosing a photo and size
FAQ
What if drills are missing or get lost?
If something is missing from your kit, please contact customer service. If drills get lost or you need more later, reorder them for that design from the Replacement service section on the product page.
Do I need a light pad?
No. A light pad can make small symbols easier to see if you work in the evenings or find the symbols hard to read.
Do I have to seal the finished piece?
No. Sealer is an optional finish that protects the surface. See how to seal a diamond painting.
Will the finished piece look like the product image?
The product image is a preview of the finished piece. Colours can vary slightly between your screen and the finished work.
