Choosing your first diamond painting kit should be exciting, not confusing. Yet with so many sizes, diamond shapes, colour counts and special finishes to choose from, it is easy to feel unsure where to start.
This guide walks you through the five things that matter most when picking a kit: the design, the size, the number of colours, the diamond shape and the kit type. By the end you will know exactly what to look for on a kit page, and which Dazzle Dots kits make a great first project.
1. Start with a design you love
It sounds obvious, but it is the most important tip of all. You will spend hours looking closely at your canvas, so choose a picture that makes you smile every time you sit down.
That might be a cosy animal scene, a seasonal design, a fantasy picture or a piece by a favourite artist. You can browse kits by artist on our Our artists page, from cute characters by Studio Memoli and MilkyCap to detailed scenes by Rafael Trujillo.
A design you love will keep you motivated through the middle of the project, which is usually the point where beginners lose momentum.
2. Check the canvas size
Size affects two things: how long the project takes and how much detail the picture can show.
Small canvases are quick to finish and easy to fit on a table. Large canvases can show far more detail, but they need more space, more time and more patience. Every kit page lists the canvas size in centimetres, so it is worth checking it against a tape measure before you buy.
Here is a rough guide using real kits from our range:
Small: around 20 x 20 cm
Perfect for a first taste of the hobby or a weekend project. LDS-7069 Berry Sweet and LDS-7071 Magic Bunny are both 20 x 20 cm square kits with a small number of colours.
Medium: around 30 to 45 cm
A satisfying project that still fits easily on a desk. LT05 Sleeping Fox is 30.5 x 30.5 cm, FDS-6007 Hiding in Hydrangea is 30 x 45 cm and LDS-7062 Subway Nap is 45 x 45 cm.
Framed: 40 x 50 cm
Our Limited Edition framed kits, such as 481-036 Sleeping Beauty, arrive with the canvas already framed and include picture hangers. They are a lovely choice for a first project because the canvas stays flat and the finished piece is ready to hang.
Large: 50 cm and above
For when you are ready for a bigger commitment. LT14 Bird Table is 50 x 76 cm with 57 colours, LDS-7080 Picnic Break is 60 x 80 cm and LDS-7038 Cats On The Beach is 90 x 72 cm with 99 colours. These are stunning when finished but best saved for your second or third project.
3. Look at the number of colours
The colour count is one of the best clues to how challenging a kit will be.
- Fewer colours (roughly up to 20) mean bigger blocks of the same colour, fewer bag changes and an easier-to-read chart. The 20 x 20 cm kits above have 15 and 19 colours.
- Mid-range kits (roughly 30 to 60 colours) give more shading and detail without being overwhelming. Subway Nap has 31 colours and Bird Table has 57.
- High colour counts (60 and above) mean lots of subtle shading, more similar-looking shades and more time spent checking the key.
Special colours, such as AB and ZG diamonds, are listed separately on each kit page. They are placed in the same way as regular colours, so they do not make a kit harder, but they are worth sorting carefully. Read more in our guide to fairy dust and AB diamonds.
4. Choose round or square diamonds
Diamonds come in two shapes, and each gives a different experience.
Round diamonds are forgiving. You do not need to line up any edges, and small gaps between them are a normal part of the look. Many beginners find them relaxing to place. Browse our Round Kits, which include both round acrylic and round resin diamonds.
Square diamonds sit edge to edge for a full, mosaic-like finish. They need a little more care to keep rows straight, but many crafters love how crisp the finished picture looks. Browse Square Resin Diamonds.
If you would like a deeper comparison, read our guide Round or Square Crystals: Which Should You Choose?.
5. Pick the kit type
Not every diamond painting is a canvas. Our range includes several formats, and some make brilliant first projects.
DIY cards
Our DIY Cards are small, quick projects with an adhesive card template and an envelope. 481-517 Poppy Eyes, for example, has a folded size of 18 x 18 cm. They are a great way to learn the basics in an evening, and you end up with a handmade card to give away.
Charm chains and ornaments
Charm Chains kits let you decorate small acrylic shapes. 481-470 Wings of Light makes 6 double-sided charms of about 8 cm each, with chains included. Small shapes mean quick wins, which is perfect for building confidence.
Canvas kits
The classic diamond painting experience, from small square kits to large rolled canvases. Rolled canvases need a little time to relax flat before you start, which our How to diamond paint guide explains.
Framed kits
As mentioned above, our framed kits arrive ready to hang, so there is no extra framing to arrange once you finish.
What comes in the box?
Each kit page lists exactly what is included. A typical canvas kit contains a pre-printed adhesive canvas, a full set of diamonds sorted by colour, an applicator pen, wax, a sorting tray and bags for spare diamonds. That is everything you need to start.
As you get into the hobby, you might like to add a few extras, such as a comfier diamond art pen, tweezers for adjustments or a light pad to make symbols easier to read. Our guide to diamond painting tools and accessories explains what each one does.
In stock or pre-order?
Dazzle Dots kits come in two delivery types, and it is worth checking which one you are buying.
- In-stock kits ship from the UK by Royal Mail 48 and usually arrive in about 2–3 working days. UK delivery is free on orders of £40 or more. Browse everything that is in stock and ready to ship.
- Pre-order kits, marked with a Pre-order button, are made to order especially for you and take around 1 month to arrive. You can find them in Round Kits – Pre-order.
If you want to start crafting this week, choose an in-stock kit. If you have your heart set on a particular design that is only available on pre-order, it is well worth the wait.
Our quick recommendations
Still not sure? Here is a simple shortlist:
- Want a quick first win? Try a DIY card or a charm chains kit.
- Want a small canvas? Try a 20 x 20 cm square kit like LDS-7069 Berry Sweet.
- Want something to hang straight away? Choose a framed 40 x 50 cm kit.
- Want extra sparkle? Look at the smaller canvases in the Full Fairy Dust Collection.
- Want a relaxed round-diamond project? Browse our Round Kits.
Frequently asked questions
What size diamond painting is best for a beginner?
A small or medium canvas, roughly 20 x 20 cm up to about 45 cm, is a comfortable first project. It is big enough to enjoy and small enough to finish.
Is a kit with more colours harder?
Usually, yes. More colours mean more shading, more similar shades and more checking of the key. A lower colour count is easier to follow.
Do I need to buy any tools separately?
No. Our kits include the essentials to get started. Extra tools are optional and simply make the process more comfortable.
What age are the kits suitable for?
Our kits are CE certified and suitable for ages 8+. They contain small parts, so keep them away from young children and pets.
Can I return a kit if I change my mind?
In-stock kits come with 30-day change-of-mind returns, with the customer paying return postage. Pre-order kits are custom-made, so they can only be returned if faulty. See Shipping & Returns for details.
Ready to begin?
The best first kit is the one you are excited to start. Pick a design you love, check the size and colour count, decide between round and square, and you are ready to go. Browse kits that are in stock and ready to ship, or start with our Bestsellers.