The Beginner's Guide to Choosing the Best Diamond Painting Kit (2025)

Hey there, future diamond artist! So, you've seen those stunning, sparkly creations all over social media and you're thinking about giving diamond painting a try. But then you hop online to find a kit and… whoa. Options overload, right? Round drills, square drills, big canvases, small ones—it’s enough to make your head spin.

Don't worry, we've all been there. Picking your first kit can feel daunting, but it's also the most exciting step! The goal is to choose a project that’s fun, manageable, and leaves you feeling proud, not frustrated. That’s why we put together this simple guide to walk you through everything you need to know. By the end, you'll be ready to pick the perfect kit and start your creative escape.

First Off, What is Diamond Painting?

In a nutshell, it’s the lovechild of paint-by-numbers and cross-stitch, but with fabulous, shiny resin "drills" (that’s what we call the diamonds!). You get a sticky canvas printed with a design and a chart, and you use a special pen to place each colorful drill onto its corresponding symbol. Piece by piece, you watch a blindingly sparkly masterpiece come to life. It’s incredibly relaxing and weirdly addictive in the best way possible.

How to Pick Your First Kit Like a Pro

For your first project, you want to set yourself up for success. Here’s the real talk on what to look for.

1. Size Matters: Keep It Small & Sweet
This is probably the most important tip for beginners. A massive, detailed canvas might look amazing, but it can also be overwhelming. Starting with a smaller canvas (think 30x40cm or 12x16in) means you’ll get that satisfying "finish" much faster. It’s a huge confidence booster! You can always graduate to a bigger project later.

2. The Great Debate: Round vs. Square Drills
This is the big one.

• Round Drills:?These are our top pick for first-timers. They’re easier to pick up, easier to place, and much more forgiving if your placement isn’t 100% perfect. They complete faster and give you a gorgeous, sparkling result. If you want a chill, stress-free experience, start here.

• Square Drills:?These little guys fit together snugly with no gaps, giving you a complete, mosaic-like finish that’s stunning. The catch? They require a bit more precision to place straight. They’re fantastic, but maybe save them for your second kit.

3. Design Choice: Go for Clear & Colorful
For your first time, choose a design with clear sections and larger areas of color. Super intricate details with tons of color changes can be tricky. Go for something that makes you happy—a beautiful landscape, a cute animal, or some cheerful flowers. You're going to be looking at it for a while!

4. Full Drill or Partial Drill?

• Full Drill:?The entire canvas is covered in diamonds. This is the full, sparkly experience and what we typically recommend.

• Partial Drill:?Only the main part of the design is covered in diamonds (like a character or animal), and the background is a printed canvas. It’s faster, but many crafters find covering the whole canvas more rewarding.

Our Top Picks for Beginner Kits at A Diamond Painting

Alright, let’s get to the good stuff! Based on everything we just talked about, here are a few of our favorite kits that are absolutely perfect for getting started.

1. For the "Let's Just See If I Like This" Newbie: The 'Sunset Bliss' Kit
This is your perfect starter pack. It’s a manageable size with a stunning but simple gradient sunset design. It uses round drills, so it’s super easy to work with, and you’ll be done before you know it, feeling accomplished and ready for more.
>> Grab your ‘Sunset Bliss’ Kit here and dive in!

2. For the "I'm All In!" Beginner: The 'Majestic Wolf' Kit
If you know you’re going to love this and want a project that really embodies the classic diamond painting experience, this is it. It’s a best-selling, medium-sized canvas with a powerful and detailed wolf design. It uses high-quality round drills for a brilliant sparkle and comes with everything you need for a truly immersive and relaxing time.
>> Start your masterpiece with the ‘Majestic Wolf’ Kit!

3. For the "I'm Ready for a Tiny Challenge" Newbie: The 'Paris at Night' Square Drill Kit
Feeling confident and intrigued by those square drills? This gorgeous Parisian street scene is the perfect way to try them. The design has larger color blocks that make it friendlier for your first square drill attempt, resulting in a incredibly satisfying and detailed finish that will wow everyone.
>> Step up to the ‘Paris at Night’ Square Drill Kit here!

Quick Tips for Your First Adventure

• Stay Organized:?Use the little plastic bags that come with your kit or grab a cheap organizer box to keep your diamond colors separate. Trust me on this one!

• Work in Small Sections:?Only peel back a small part of the protective plastic film on your canvas at a time. This keeps the adhesive sticky and prevents dust and pet hair from getting on it.

• Most Importantly, Relax!?There’s no such thing as a "mistake." If a drill is crooked, just nudge it into place with your pen. This is about having fun and unwinding, not achieving perfection.

Ready to Get Started?

See? That wasn't so complicated! The most important thing is to just start. Diamond painting is all about the joy of creating something beautiful with your own hands.

We’ve carefully curated our?Beginner's Collection?to include kits we know you’ll love. So, take a deep breath, trust your gut, and pick the one that speaks to you.

>> Explore our entire Beginner-Friendly Collection and find your perfect kit today!

Welcome to the club—we’re so glad to have you!