Frequently Asked Questions

Paint by numbers: you fill each numbered section with the matching acrylic paint. The finished result looks like a traditional painting, and you learn brush control and layering as you go.

Diamond painting: you place small acrylic drills onto a pre-printed adhesive canvas with a pen and wax. The finished result has a sparkling, mosaic-like surface.

Many people find diamond painting easier to start with because the process is repetitive and easy to follow. Paint by numbers feels a bit more like traditional painting and teaches more brush technique as you go.

For a closer comparison, read our diamond painting vs paint by numbers guide.

In paint by numbers, the canvas is already divided into numbered sections. In diamond painting, you place one symbol at a time onto the sticky canvas. Most people get the hang of the process within a few hours.

If you are not sure where to start, choose a manageable first project. For paint by numbers, 40×50 cm is a safe beginner size. For diamond painting, 30×40 cm is a good place to start if you want something quicker and easier to finish.

Paint by numbers kit includes: a numbered canvas, acrylic paints and 4 brushes in different sizes.

Diamond painting kit includes: a sticky symbol canvas, acrylic drills (usually with around 20–30% extra), a pen, wax and a tray.

If you want extra tools or accessories later, see our paint by numbers supplies and diamond painting accessories.

Paint by numbers also works on a lap tray or a firm board if you prefer to sit on the sofa. Diamond painting is usually easier on a proper table, because the small drills are easier to keep under control there.

Smell and noise: acrylic paints are water-based and almost odourless. Diamond painting does not smell at all.

Small drills are a choking hazard for young children. If you are buying a gift for a younger person, adult supervision is needed. For children, scratch art is often a safer option.

For beginners, a safe gift choice is 40×50 cm in paint by numbers or 30×40 cm / 40×50 cm in diamond painting.

Timing matters: if you want the finished piece ready for a birthday, Christmas or another occasion, order early enough.

Typical completion times when working 3–4 evenings per week, about an hour at a time:

• Paint by numbers 40×50 cm: ~10–20 hours, around 3–6 weeks
• Diamond painting 30×40 cm: ~15–35 hours, around 4–9 weeks
• Diamond painting 40×50 cm: ~25–60 hours, around 6–15 weeks

A custom paint by numbers kit or custom diamond painting kit makes the gift more personal. Please note that custom products cannot be returned once production has started.

Wet paint washes off skin with soap and water. If it dries on your skin, it usually flakes off on its own.

A new kit may have a slight plastic smell when first opened, but it normally fades after airing out.

Store kits in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.

For paint:

• close the pots tightly after use
• avoid warm storage
• use an airtight bag if you are taking a long break

For diamond painting:

• keep the protective film in place
• store the canvas flat or gently rolled
• avoid heat and humidity

The adhesive on a diamond painting canvas usually stays in good condition for at least 1–2 years when stored properly.

• Paint by numbers: more about brush control, coverage and layering. Can go wrong if the paint is too thin, if you use too much water or if you choose the wrong colour by mistake.
• Diamond painting: less messy, more repetitive, mechanically simpler — but crooked rows and sloppy placement show up quickly.

Many people find diamond painting easier as a first hobby. Paint by numbers teaches more traditional painting skills.

If you are still unsure, read our diamond painting vs paint by numbers comparison.

• Paint by numbers: 40×50 cm is the safest beginner size
• Diamond painting: 30×40 cm is lighter and quicker, 40×50 cm shows more detail
• If the image has many small details such as faces, fur or thin lines, go larger rather than smaller

If you want a full size guide, read our paint by numbers size guide.

• Round drills: quicker to place, more forgiving, softer-looking result
• Square drills: tighter fit, fewer gaps, sharper detail, but less forgiving if rows go crooked

If you want the easiest possible start, choose round drills. If you want a denser, more detailed finish, choose square drills.

One project normally uses either round or square drills, not both mixed together.

See our round vs square drills guide.

They work best as highlights in places like eyes, stars, water reflections or bright details. They are not usually meant to replace all standard drills in a design.

AB drills can feel slightly more slippery than standard drills, so they sometimes need a bit more pressure when placing them.

Typical estimates:

Paint by Numbers:

• 40×50 cm: ~10–20 h
• 50×70 cm: ~15–30 h
• 60×80 cm: ~30–60 h

Diamond Painting:

• 30×40 cm: ~15–35 h
• 40×50 cm: ~25–60 h
• 50×70 cm: ~40–100 h
• 60×80 cm: ~55–140 h

Square drills usually take longer than round drills because the rows need straighter placement. In paint by numbers, lighter shades often need extra coats, which adds drying time.

For more detailed estimates, read how long does diamond painting take.

Best method:

1. add one drop at a time
2. stir with a stick or small brush
3. test on a small section
4. repeat only if needed

Do not use washing-up liquid, alcohol, oil or random solvents. They damage the acrylic binder and make the paint weak and streaky.

For more help, see our dried or missing paint guide and how to thin acrylic paint properly.

If the paint cannot be revived with water and it is a single shade from a paintbynumbers.eu kit, you can use the Paint Mix Calculator for an emergency mix. It estimates the closest mix from the paints you still have left. The shade will not be exactly the same as the original, so test a small amount first.

White, pale yellow and light pink are naturally less opaque than darker colours.

Best approach:

1. paint one thin coat
2. let it dry
3. add a second thin coat
4. if needed, add a third

Do not over-thin pale colours with water, because that makes coverage worse.

For more detail, read why doesn’t light paint cover.

Why top to bottom:

• your hand is less likely to touch wet paint
• the work stays cleaner
• large background areas feel easier to manage

Why one colour at a time:

• less brush washing
• easier to stay organised
• more even finish

For more technique tips, see our paint by numbers tips and tricks.

Only peel back a small section of the protective film at a time. That helps keep dust, fluff and pet hair off the adhesive.

You can also start from the centre if that feels more natural. The main thing is to work in a direction that keeps your hand away from the sticky area and the finished rows.

If the wrong colour is very dark and the correct colour is light, you can first add a thin layer of white as a base before painting the correct shade on top.

Avoid wiping wet paint off the canvas, because that often smudges the fibres and makes the area messier.

Paint by numbers canvas: place it flat under books overnight. If needed, iron the back very gently through a cloth on the lowest setting.

Diamond painting canvas: keep the protective film on, gently roll the canvas the opposite way and leave it under weights. Do not iron it.

For more handling tips, see diamond painting tips and tricks.

Common fixes:

1. straighten crooked rows with a card or straightening tool
2. keep dust, fluff and pet hair away from the adhesive
3. press AB drills slightly more firmly than standard drills
4. always roll finished diamond paintings with the drill side facing outwards, not inwards
5. avoid storing the canvas in very hot or damp places

If drills have already lifted, press the finished area gently through the protective sheet and leave it under a book overnight.

For wax technique, read how to use diamond painting wax.

Check the surface carefully first. Remove visible dust or fibres with tweezers, or wipe the area very gently with a dry, lint-free cloth. Do not use water or cleaning products.

We recommend starting the project within about six months of ordering. The adhesive usually stays in good condition for at least 1–2 years when the protective film stays in place and the canvas is stored in a dry room-temperature environment.

If the canvas is faulty, contact us at info@paintbynumbers.eu and include your order number and a clear photo.

For paint by numbers:

1. check the bottom of the package
2. compare the paint pots with the canvas markings
3. contact us if a colour is completely missing

For diamond painting:

1. compare the missing code with the legend on the canvas
2. check all bags and storage containers again
3. if a drill colour is genuinely missing, send us the code and an estimate of what is missing

We replace genuinely missing items free of charge. See our customer service page.

Most kits include extra paint or drills, so this does not happen often. If it does, email us your order number, the colour code and a short note about what ran out.

The same policy also applies to custom products.

If a colour ran out while painting and you want to finish a small area right away, find the closest emergency paint mix from leftover paints. The calculator works with paintbynumbers.eu kit colour codes, and the mixed shade should always be tested before painting it onto the canvas.

Sealer helps protect against dust, moisture and UV exposure.

For paint by numbers:

• let the painting dry fully first
• apply a thin, even coat
• matte gives a softer artist-style finish
• gloss makes colours look brighter

For diamond painting:

• sealer helps keep drills in place
• it also makes surface dust easier to manage
• it is especially useful if you frame the piece without glass

We recommend ARTDOT diamond painting sealer. For more guidance, read our diamond painting sealer guide.

Keep the work flat while drying. If you frame it too early, the surface can stick to glass or mount board.

As a rule of thumb:

• after one coat, wait about 24 hours
• after two coats, wait about 48 hours

Paint by numbers: you can use stretcher bars or a standard frame. If you want frame options, see our paint by numbers frame collection.

Diamond painting: you can frame it with or without glass. If you use glass, leave a small gap between the glass and the drills by using a deep frame or mount board.

We do not currently sell dedicated diamond painting frames. Suitable frames can often be found in supermarkets, department stores, framing shops and online, as long as the size fits and the frame is deep enough.

For step-by-step guidance, read how do I frame my painting.

For unfinished diamond paintings:

• keep the protective film on when not working
• store the canvas flat if possible
• if you roll it, roll with the drill side facing outwards
• avoid heat and humidity

For paint by numbers:

• close the paint pots tightly
• keep brushes clean
• avoid direct sun and hot storage

For organising drills and accessories, see our diamond painting storage ideas and 28-compartment storage box.

Best photo characteristics:

• one or two clear main subjects
• no heavy backlighting
• no very dark shadows over faces
• a sharp original image, not a blurry screenshot
• enough contrast between the subject and background

Group photos and very dark images usually need a larger size.

Helpful guides:

• custom paint by numbers instructions
• how to choose the perfect image and size for custom diamond painting

That is normal for all custom kits. Colours and fine detail always need to be adapted to a limited palette and grid.

Larger sizes and higher-quality source images usually give a more detailed result.

If you want a preview before ordering, email us your photo and preferred size. We can then give you a better idea of how the finished result is likely to look before you place the order.

Order here:

• custom paint by numbers
• custom diamond painting

Custom paint by numbers:

• 40×50 cm: good all-round size for one face, one pet or a clear landscape
• 40×70 cm or larger: better for group shots or more detailed compositions

Custom diamond painting:

• 30×40 cm: works for simple images with one clear subject
• 40×50 cm: good all-round size for portraits and pets
• 50×70 cm or larger: better for group photos and detail-heavy images

If you are unsure, contact customer service before ordering. We are happy to help you choose a size that fits the image.

You can also read our paint by numbers size guide.

We start processing custom orders quickly. If production has already started, the order can no longer be cancelled and custom products are not returnable.

If you need to cancel, email info@paintbynumbers.eu and include your order number as soon as possible.

We reply to emails at info@paintbynumbers.eu usually on the same or next business day.

In practice, we:

• design the artwork ourselves
• print the canvases with a large-format printer
• apply the adhesive surface for diamond paintings
• collect paints, drills and accessories by hand
• pack and ship the products from our own warehouse

Typical options include:

• Visa
• Mastercard
• American Express
• PayPal
• Klarna
• iDEAL (where available)

Your payment details are handled by the payment provider, not directly by our store.

For more detail, see our terms of delivery and return.

Common reasons:

• the code was entered incorrectly
• the code has expired
• the order total does not meet the minimum value
• the code has already been used before

If it still does not work, email info@paintbynumbers.eu with the code and your order details.

You can choose the amount yourself (e.g. €25, €50, €100). The gift card is a code in an email, not a physical card — you can print it or forward the message. Gift cards are not refundable as cash and cannot be combined with other discount codes.

If the same order contains both a custom product and regular items, the regular items usually wait for the custom item and ship together.

Tracking normally starts updating within about 24–48 hours after dispatch.

If your order ships in more than one parcel, you will receive a separate tracking code for each shipment.

Common reasons:

• the shipment was only just booked
• the carrier has not scanned it yet
• weekend or holiday delays
• the parcel is moving normally but tracking is lagging behind

If your parcel is going to the UK, Norway, Switzerland or another non-EU destination, customs processing can also delay tracking updates.

If tracking has not moved for several business days, contact us at info@paintbynumbers.eu with your order number.

If the parcel has already shipped, you can still return unused standard products within the return period. Custom products are different, see the custom section above.

Typical delivery times:

• GLS Standard: 4–8 business days
• DHL Express: 1–3 business days

Delivery speed depends on country, local sorting and customs handling where applicable.

For full details, see our terms of delivery and return.

Åland: delivered with Posti in 1–3 business days. Because Åland is outside the EU VAT area, VAT and Posti’s handling fee are charged on delivery.

Selected non-EU countries: we currently ship to countries such as the UK, Norway, Switzerland and Iceland. Shipping is via GLS or DHL Express depending on destination, and the customer is responsible for any local VAT, customs charges and handling fees.

If you want to confirm whether we ship to your country or ask for an estimate of possible import costs, contact customer service before ordering.

Return process:

1. email info@paintbynumbers.eu with your order number
2. pack the product carefully in the original packaging
3. send it back with a tracked shipping method
4. we refund the order once the return has arrived and been checked

If you have already started painting or placing drills, the return right no longer applies to that product.

If the issue is a material defect rather than a normal return, contact us as soon as you notice it.

We usually reply on the same or next business day. We check products before dispatch, but damage can still happen in transit or occasionally because of our own mistake. If that happens, we sort it out.