Five Factors to Consider
1. Difficulty Level
Look at the size of the numbered areas and the amount of fine detail, then check the difficulty label on the individual product page. Larger areas can be easier to follow on a first project. A color count alone does not tell you how difficult a design will be. For example, Library Whiskers is listed as Intermediate.
2. Theme
Choose a design you'll enjoy spending hours with. Themes to compare include:
- Animals — from dogs to wildlife
- Nature & Landscapes — mountains, forests, gardens
- Coast & Ocean — beaches, waves, marine life
- Cities & Travel — skylines, landmarks, streets
- Abstract & Patterns — bold, modern designs
3. Frame Options
Check the finish options on your chosen product. In the standard collection, No Frame is a rolled numbered canvas; Framed is stretched on wooden bars. A decorative outer frame is not included. Paint the canvas and let it dry before hanging it. The custom photo kit labels its stretched option Ready-to-Hang. See our kit and framing FAQ.
4. Canvas Size
The standard examples in this guide list a 40 × 50 cm canvas, approximately 15.7 × 19.7 inches. The custom photo kit offers 40 × 50, 50 × 60 and 60 × 80 cm. Measure your intended display space and check the selected product’s dimensions before ordering.
5. Number of Colors
Choose 24, 36 or 48 colors when configuring a custom photo kit. These are custom-kit options; do not assume every catalog design has a color-count selector. For example, Library Whiskers currently offers No Frame and Framed choices only. A 48-color palette provides more distinct paint colors than 24, but cannot recover detail absent from the source photo. Compare the available sizes and color options on the product page, and read the photo selection guide before uploading.
Quick Recommendation
| Your goal | What to check |
|---|---|
| A first catalog kit | Larger numbered areas and the individual product’s difficulty label |
| A more detailed catalog design | The artwork’s fine detail and listed difficulty |
| A kit made from your photo | Photo clarity, canvas size, and the custom kit’s 24 / 36 / 48 color options |
| A painting to display | Product dimensions and the available frame or finish options |
What Do Easy, Intermediate and Advanced Mean Here?
Use the individual listing as your starting point, then inspect the design's small shapes and repeated details. The following examples show the labels currently listed in our store; they are not timed completion tests.
| Listed difficulty | Verified example | What to check before buying |
|---|---|---|
| Easy | Starry Night with Animals | Whether you can comfortably follow the numbered regions. |
| Intermediate | Library Whiskers | How much smaller subject detail you want to work on. |
| Advanced | Van Gogh Starry Night | Whether detailed work fits your patience and painting space. |
The listed catalog examples have No Frame and Framed options. They do not have the Custom kit's 24/36/48-color selector. A peaceful subject or an adult audience does not by itself make a kit Easy.
How Do I Choose a Named-Masterpiece Kit?
If you want a kit sold under the title Van Gogh Starry Night, the matching product page lists Advanced difficulty and a 40 × 50 cm canvas. Van Gogh Starry Night over the Rhone is a separate listing, also labeled Advanced. Each offers No Frame and Framed.
Starry Night with Animals is a different, animal-themed design labeled Easy. Starry Night Christmas is a seasonal design labeled Intermediate. Choose by the actual picture and product title; the words “Starry Night” alone do not identify the same artwork, artist attribution or difficulty. Compare the listing's reference image and printed-design detail before choosing. This is guidance to our own listings, not a claim that our version is the best across sellers.
Is a Paint by Numbers Kit Worth It, and How Much Time Should I Allow?
It is a useful choice if you want to apply paint to an existing plan and would enjoy the subject after completion. If you want to invent a composition or mix every color yourself, consider freehand practice as well. We have no verified fixed hour total for an Easy, Intermediate or Advanced kit. Use the first-session estimating method before setting a finish deadline.
Where Should I Buy, and What Should I Check?
Look for a specific canvas size, finish explanation, kit contents, usable design images and accessible policies. Our where-to-buy guide compares buying routes and listing checks without assigning an unsupported brand ranking.
For the recipient's experience, read our gift guide. For an evening activity, use the calming guide; for wall colors and display, use the home decor themes. Then browse the complete collection.