Diamond Painting for Beginners: Kits, Drills and Step-by-Step Method
Diamond painting is a craft in which you press tiny resin "drills" onto a sticky, pre-printed canvas, matching each coloured drill to a symbol, until the whole picture sparkles like a mosaic. Everything you need usually comes in one kit: the canvas, sorted drills, a pen, wax and a tray. It is relaxing, needs no drawing skill and suits complete beginners.
This guide covers the kit, round vs square drills, a step-by-step method, canvas sizes in centimetres, timings and finishing. Browse diamond painting kits to see the range of designs and sizes.
What comes in a diamond painting kit
Most kits contain the same core pieces, whatever the design.
| Item | What it does | Beginner tip |
|---|---|---|
| Adhesive canvas | Printed with a grid of symbols and colours, covered by a clear protective film | Only peel back the film over the area you are working on |
| Drills | Small faceted resin pieces, bagged by colour and labelled with a number code | Keep the bags closed and labelled until you need them |
| Drill pen | Picks up one drill at a time from the tray | Some kits include a multi-placer tip for laying several drills in a row |
| Wax or putty pad | Loaded into the pen tip so drills cling to it | The wax is weaker than the canvas glue, so the drill transfers to the canvas |
| Ridged tray | Holds a few drills and turns them shiny side up when shaken | A gentle side-to-side shake is enough |
| Colour chart/legend | Matches each canvas symbol to a drill colour code | Usually printed along the canvas edge |
Round vs square drills
Drills come in two shapes, and each kit is made for one or the other. The canvas grid is designed around the drill shape, so you cannot swap them halfway through.
- Round drills are commonly about 2.8 mm across, though sizes vary slightly between makers. They do not need lining up, so small wobbles do not show, and many beginners find them quicker and more forgiving. The finish has a sparkly, slightly textured look with tiny gaps between drills.
- Square drills are commonly about 2.5 mm across. They sit edge to edge like tiles, which gives a crisper, more detailed picture, but each one needs straightening. A pair of tweezers or the edge of a ruler helps to nudge rows into line.
You will also see full drill kits, where the entire canvas is covered, and partial drill kits, where only the main subject is drilled and the printed background shows through. Partial kits are a good, shorter first project.
Step-by-step: how to do diamond painting
- Flatten the canvas. Canvases are posted rolled. Lay yours flat under a few heavy books for a day or so before you start.
- Check the drills against the legend. Make sure every colour code on the chart has a matching bag. Contact the seller early if anything is missing.
- Peel back a small strip of film. Fold back only a few centimetres at a time. Exposed glue picks up dust and pet hair, and loses its stickiness if left uncovered for too long.
- Pour a small amount of one colour into the tray. Shake gently until most drills are flat side down.
- Load the pen with wax. Press the tip into the wax pad so a little sticks inside it. Reload whenever drills stop lifting cleanly.
- Place the drills. Touch the pen to the top of a drill, set it on a matching symbol and press lightly. Work colour by colour or in small blocks.
- Press down as you go. When a section is done, lay the protective film back over it and roll or press firmly to bed the drills in.
- Return spare drills to their labelled bag before opening the next colour, so shades do not get mixed.
Canvas sizes and how long a picture takes
Kits are sold by canvas size in centimetres, usually including a blank border for framing. The larger the canvas, the more drills it holds and the longer it takes. As a guide, a full-drill area of 30 × 40 cm worked in 2.5 mm square drills is a grid of 120 × 160, which is 19,200 drill positions.
| Typical canvas size | Good for | Rough time to finish |
|---|---|---|
| 20 × 20 cm to 20 × 30 cm | First projects, partial drill designs, cards and small gifts | An evening or a few short sessions |
| 30 × 30 cm to 30 × 40 cm | A first full-drill picture | Several evenings to a couple of weeks |
| 40 × 50 cm to 40 × 60 cm | Detailed scenes and portraits | Weeks of regular sessions |
| 50 × 70 cm and larger | Experienced makers and long-term projects | Months of occasional sessions |
Times vary with drill shape and how often you work.
Tips for a neater finish
Light and comfort
- A light pad under the canvas makes the printed symbols much easier to read, especially in the evening and on dark areas of the design.
- Work at a table with good daylight or a daylight lamp, and take regular breaks to rest your eyes and hands.
Organising drills
- Small screw-top pots or a divided box keep colours separate between sessions; see craft storage boxes and organisers.
- Label each pot with its colour code so you can find shades quickly.
Sealing and framing
- Once every drill is placed, press the whole canvas firmly, ideally with a roller, to make sure everything is bedded in.
- Sealing is optional. Some makers brush or spray on a sealant made for diamond painting to lock the drills in; others frame the picture behind glass instead. Always test any sealant on a corner first and use sprays in a well-ventilated room.
- For framing, measure the drilled area and the border in centimetres. Ready-made frames and mount board are in picture framing and mount board.
- If you are storing a finished canvas unframed, roll it with the drills facing outwards so they are not pushed off.
Small parts and young children
Drills are only a few millimetres across, which makes them a choking hazard for babies and toddlers. RoSPA notes that babies and toddlers explore objects by putting them in their mouths and advises keeping small items out of their reach and clearing up after play, especially in homes with older children.
- Keep trays, open bags and dropped drills well away from children under three and from pets.
- Check the floor and chair around your work area after each session; drills bounce and roll a long way.
- Read the age guidance on the box. Kits sold as toys in Great Britain fall under the Toys (Safety) Regulations 2011, which require toys that might be dangerous for children under 36 months to carry a warning such as "Not suitable for children under 36 months" (or an equivalent symbol), with a brief note of the specific hazard. Adult kits may carry no toy age label, so keep every kit away from under-threes.
- For older children, choose a small, partial drill design and sit with them while they work.
Our kids' craft safety guide covers supervision and age-appropriate materials in more detail. If you enjoy counting symbols on a grid, cross stitch for beginners is a natural next craft.
Quick beginner checklist
- Choose a small or partial drill kit for your first picture; round drills are the more forgiving shape.
- Flatten the canvas and check every drill colour against the legend before you start.
- Peel back only a small strip of film at a time and press finished sections down.
- Use good light, ideally a light pad, and take breaks.
- Keep drills in labelled pots, away from young children and pets.
- Press the finished canvas firmly, then seal (optional) and frame.
You can find kits, tools and accessories together in the diamond painting and mosaic department.
Frequently asked questions
What is diamond painting?
Diamond painting is a craft where you press small resin drills onto a sticky, pre-printed canvas, matching each drill colour to a symbol, until the picture is covered like a sparkling mosaic.
Are round or square drills better for beginners?
Round drills, commonly about 2.8 mm, are more forgiving because they do not need lining up. Square drills, commonly about 2.5 mm, give a crisper, more detailed finish but take more care to keep straight.
How long does a diamond painting take?
It depends on the canvas size, drill shape and how often you work. A small 20 × 30 cm canvas may take an evening or a few sessions, while a 40 × 50 cm canvas or larger can take weeks.
Do I need to seal a diamond painting?
Sealing is optional. Some makers apply a sealant made for diamond painting after pressing the canvas firmly; others frame the finished picture behind glass instead. Test any sealant on a corner first.
Is diamond painting safe for young children?
The drills are only a few millimetres across and are a choking hazard for children under three, so keep trays and dropped drills out of their reach. Older children can enjoy a small kit with an adult nearby.