The short answerFor a first kit, get a full drill, round drill canvas around 12 x 16 in (30 x 40 cm) for $8 to $15. It's forgiving, it sparkles, and it's small enough to finish.
What to buy
First kit
Round drill, full drill, 12 x 16 in (30 x 40 cm)
Round drills go down fast and forgive a crooked placement. You'll see tiny gaps between them up close.
$8 to $15
See options on Amazon →Kids 6 and up
Kids' kit with big gems or sticker-style designs
Larger pieces and small designs suit short attention spans. The pieces are still small, so stay close and keep toddlers away.
$8 to $20
See options on Amazon →A crisp mosaic look
Square drill, full drill, 16 x 20 in (40 x 50 cm)
Square drills sit edge to edge with no gaps, so the picture looks sharper. They need straighter placement and take longer.
$12 to $25
See options on Amazon →Long sessions
A4 LED light pad
Light from under the canvas makes the tiny symbols far more readable. It's an extra you only need once you know you like the hobby.
$15 to $30
See options on Amazon →Your own photo
Custom photo kit, 16 x 20 in or larger
A bigger canvas keeps faces from turning into blocks. The result depends on your photo, so pick a sharp, well-lit one.
$20 to $60
See options on Amazon →Links go to Amazon. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
What the numbers mean
- Round vs square drills
- Drills are the tiny resin gems. Round ones are quicker and more forgiving, and square ones fill the canvas completely for a sharper picture.
- Full vs partial drill
- Full drill covers the whole picture in gems. Partial drill only covers part, with the rest printed, so it's faster and looks flatter.
- Canvas size
- Each drill is one dot of the picture, so bigger canvases hold more detail. Go 12 x 16 in for simple designs and 16 x 20 in or more for faces.
- Adhesive
- Poured glue canvases stay sticky and rarely bubble. Double-sided tape canvases cost less and can trap air bubbles or lose stick.
- 5D
- It means the drills have more facets, so they catch more light. Nearly every kit says 5D now, so it tells you little.
What not to pay for
- A detailed picture on a small canvas
A portrait squeezed onto 8 x 10 in turns to mush. Pick a simple design or size up.
- Accessory bundles on day one
Every kit comes with a pen, tray and wax. Buy storage boxes and a light pad after your first finished canvas.
- Assuming it's full drill
Cheap listings often hide that a kit is partial drill. Read the description for the words full drill before you order.
The drills are tiny and look like candy. Keep them away from children under 3 and from pets, and supervise younger kids the whole time.
Questions
How long does a diamond painting take?
A 12 x 16 in full drill canvas has close to 20,000 drills. Plan on roughly 10 to 20 hours, spread over a couple of weeks. Larger canvases take much longer.
What if I run out of a color?
Most kits include extra drills of each color. If you're still short, message the seller with the color code printed on the canvas. Many will send more.
Do I need to seal a finished diamond painting?
It's optional. Press the drills down with a rolling pin first. A brush-on sealer holds loose drills in place and dulls the sparkle a little.
Written by the DIY Project team. We recommend by type and spec, cheapest option that does the job first. How we check
Updated October 3, 2026. Prices are estimates.