We LOVE diamond painting. There's absolutely nothing better than unboxing a new kit, prepping your canvas and tools, and spending countless hours putting diamonds to canvas to slowly reveal a masterpiece of your own making.
Fortunately, we're not alone in our addiction to this amazing new craft hobby! The passionate folks over at the official Paint With Diamonds Support Group are always sharing progress, tips, and tricks that make paint with diamonds lovers absolutely giddy!
We've gone through hundreds of posts to find the best paint with diamonds tips and tricks. Read ahead for our favorites!
7. Use egg cartons to organize your diamonds
Raise chickens? Or did you just cook an omelette and use up all your eggs? Use the container to organize your diamonds! Courtesy of Niña Conklin.
6. Tape or glue your diamonds next to their symbol on the canvas.
Easily reference the diamonds you need at quick glance! Tip courtesy of Heidi Proctor and Angela Earley!
5. Use a marker to put the number or symbol on each diamond bag.
If egg cartons aren't your style, simply sort the diamonds into the plastic Ziploc bags included in your kit. Then write the corresponding number or symbol on the outside of the bag. Tip thanks to Kelsey Kelso Bjork!
4. Use a cutting board as a flat surface for your canvas.
Can't find a good surface to use to complete your paint with diamonds? Just tape the canvas to a normal kitchen cutting board! Just wash it first ;). Thanks for the tip, Suzie Pini van Deurs!
3. Use a multi-diamond applicator tool to speed up the process!
Don't be afraid to pick up more than one diamond at a time! Most of our kits come with a double-sided tool that lets you pick up one diamond at a time, or a bunch! Tip courtesy of Brooke Stubbs.
2. Flatten your canvas by sleeping on it. Literally.
This one comes straight from Ali King, who says, "put it between two pieces of cardboard. Put that under my mattress and sleep on it overnight. Works great! I do that once I'm done with it as well, just to make sure all the diamonds are fully adhered."
1. Stop static cling with dryer sheets.
Isn't it annoying when your diamonds stick to everything BUT the canvas? PWD fan Ariel Rocha recommends cutting up a dryer sheet and placing small pieces of it in whatever you are storing the gems in. Game changer!
Have an awesome tip that we missed? Leave it in the comments below! And don't forget to share this post with your fellow die-hard paint with diamonds fans!
Comments
Deisha Zilionis said:
1. Instead of sleeping on it if you just peel back the adhesive cover almost all the way back and then reseal it and do this to all four corners it flattens itself out.
2. The edges can attract dust and fluff. Cover with tape to keep edges clean and tidy.
3. Push the pen into bluetac and turn it a few times. Works better than the red wax.
August 03, 2018
Tiffany Diaz said:
I hook my canvas onto a foam board with pins. I can have a nice surface to work off of any table and if I need to store it, it is already flat and can squeeze in just about anywhere
August 03, 2018
Sue cribb said:
Went to goodwill and got a frame. Spray paint any color. Put under glass. Beautiful, just started my 2nd picture enjoy doing.
August 03, 2018
Nancy said:
Tips are great, very helpful.
August 03, 2018
Peggy said:
Got my first kit. Silly question. Do I pull off that clear sticky plastic sheet too?
August 03, 2018
Madlen said:
I bought one of those storage boxes with 24 mini boxes within it. You can find them on Wish and Amazon for very cheap. I then put a small piece of masking tape (it’s easy to take off and write on) on top of each compartment with the # of the diamond. Very easy and convienient. You can use one box per painting so not to get all your diamonds mixed together. Once you run out of diamonds the tape comes off easy and you can put another piece on with a different number. Email me if you want to see pics. Madlenn@ymail.com. Instagram MadKukla. ;)
August 03, 2018
Emma said:
Instead of sleeping on the canvas or pressing with heavy books just remove the reapply the backing to the canvas on all 4 corners. It works wonders
August 03, 2018
Judy Broadaway said:
Just read all these wonderful comments from people, I have purchased 11 pics so far all animals all turned out Beautiful.every time I order some my husband say’s to me (see ya in a month) My tip to you all is I took a small rubber hose about 4/5 in, cut it down the side and slipped in on the applicator makes it ezer to hold also use a small board about 7/8 in long 1 1/2 wide,glued 4 nuts on 4 corners works like a ruler but won’t stick to canves, keep the comments coming I love them, THANKS PWD YOUR STAFF IS WONDERFUL.
November 20, 2018
Judy Broadaway said:
Just read all these wonderful comments from people, I have purchased 11 pics so far all animals all turned out Beautiful.every time I order some my husband say’s to me (see ya in a month) My tip to you all is I took a small rubber hose about 4/5 in, cut it down the side and slipped in on the applicator makes it ezer to hold also use a small board about 7/8 in long 1 1/2 wide,glued 4 nuts on 4 corners works like a ruler but won’t stick to canves, keep the comments coming I love them, THANKS PWD YOUR STAFF IS WONDERFUL.
November 20, 2018
Madlen said:
I bought one of those storage boxes with 24 mini boxes within it. You can find them on Wish and Amazon for very cheap. I then put a small piece of masking tape (it’s easy to take off and write on) on top of each compartment with the # of the diamond. Very easy and convienient. You can use one box per painting so not to get all your diamonds mixed together. Once you run out of diamonds the tape comes off easy and you can put another piece on with a different number. Email me if you want to see pics. Madlenn@ymail.com. Instagram MadKukla. ;)
November 20, 2018
Connie langdon said:
I find that when using the multi diamond tool it is easier to place the diamonds in an open area and then fill in the ones and twos in between. I press mine under heavy books before working on canvas and after placing diamonds. I love this craft.
November 20, 2018
Tracyanne Carter said:
I plan on using Mod Podge to cover and seal each of mine when I finish each one, before framing!
Also I use a light board under mine and it is fantastic for lighting up the symbols, especially the hard to see ones.
I rolled and stored it in its box, the larger one I am working on so I could take out the smaller one to work on at the laundromat. It completely fits in the light board where as the parrot I am also working on is twice the size of the light board, and to high to travel with!
November 20, 2018
Kathy said:
What/how am I supposed to use the pink thing?
November 20, 2018
Lori Malone said:
I use a headlamp to keep my hands free when working on my pwd’s!
November 20, 2018
Nancilee Gray said:
I’m on my 3rd one. I absolutely love it and have 4 women at work hooked as well. My tip is- if I’m going somewhere with it, I put the canvas in a large notebook or drawing pad, so as not to fold it and lose the diamonds. I use clear pill crushed envelopes to put each colored diamond in and they pour out easier.
November 20, 2018
Tanya said:
I am having a hard time with the round drill pcs as they over lap onto the next letter how do i do a pic with round drills ?
November 20, 2018
Donna H said:
I use a small piece of shelf liner(the rubber kind) to hold the tray in place as I’m working on a piece.
November 20, 2018
Martha Snyder said:
Does anyone have an idea to separate diamonds that are stuck together? I have several that have 3 or more stuck together, like rocks!
November 20, 2018
Kay L. said:
I am working on my second picture. I love it. Just ordered my third piece. I bought little containers from Amazon that work perfect for my tiles and using the light pad under the print really helps in placing tiles and in reading the guide for color. I like the mod podge idea to keep the tiles from coming off of the print, although I have not had that problem. Can’t wait to frame them.
November 20, 2018
Valerie Phillips said:
Do the symbols on the canvas from this company hard to read? Are they numbers?
Thanx
November 20, 2018
Pam Heiselman said:
I just started doing these. Really enjoyed it can’t wait for all my other ones to get here.
November 20, 2018
Stephanie Brock said:
For each project, I set my boxes up by the number that is for the individual drill. I put the number on the box with tape, and once my project is completed, I put the remaining drills in tiny plastic bags and remove the number on the box and place it on the bag. This way I can find them if I need them for another project in which I may have run short.
November 20, 2018
Cindy Tatano said:
I would like to know how these paintings can be framed without losing the sparkle. I don’t think that a traditional glass frame would work. Any ideas?
November 20, 2018
Cindy Tatano said:
I would like to know how these paintings can be framed without losing the sparkle. I don’t think that a traditional glass frame would work. Any ideas?
November 20, 2018
Rachel Fenner said:
I use ice cube trays to sort my diamonds. I cut the symbols and colors of of the page and tape them to each cube with double sided tape!!! Very easy to keep your diamonds sorted and easy access.
November 20, 2018
MARCIA MINTON said:
when I finish , before I frame them I cover them with MOD PODGE , let them dry for 2 days then have them framed .
June 20, 2018
Mary Tribl said:
I went to the Dollar Tree and purchased 3 packages of these plastic storage containers. They came 10 to a package. Put on paper then taped onto the container the number or symbols. This way it is much easier and you can take off the # or symbols and reuse. Hint here, when you put the tape on, be sure you leave a gap so you can easily remove them. I hope this helps you.
June 20, 2018
Joann said:
These were very helpful
June 20, 2018
Karen said:
I am having a problem with the pink wax “glue” pad getting too stiff to use. What can I do to keep it soft? I found extra on Amazon, not very expensive.
June 20, 2018
ReNae Primeau said:
I have a light with a magnifying glass to make out the symbols when there are some that look close to the same. It gives me more direct light and works great for looking for any missed spots too.
June 20, 2018
Samantha M Wilson said:
I have a trick on how to store your diamonds I use a pill sorter (what you use to sort your pills Monday thru Sunday)and I just label it 1 thru 14
June 20, 2018
Cindy Stidham said:
I use the 1 and 2 ounce cups with lids for my diamonds. It works GREAT!! I have done so many that I combine the leftover diamonds with the new kits (same colors only) some kits will use some of the same colors. When I get my kit the first thing I do is make sure all the diamonds are there. (If not PWD is awesome about sending the missing ones)the next thing I do is put the diamonds in the small containers and label them all. Once I have done that, I am ready to start!!! I absolutely LOVE PWD. I also use the rolling pin to make sure the diamonds are all pushed in. I also frame them behind glass as to not lose any of the diamonds. Hope this has helped someone.
June 20, 2018
Cindy Stidham said:
I have just ordered my 11th PWD pictures. I am super hooked. I strayed away and ordered a cheaper version from WISH. DONT DO IT!!! Paint With Diamonds is the absolute BEST by far. I just received my first custom picture of my sister and nephew that I’m gonna start once my big Jesus picture is done. Thanks PWD for being so awesome.
June 20, 2018
Julie Glenn said:
What is the best way to store your picture while you are working on it? I don’t want to fold it but I need to do something with it until the next time I can work on it without it getting bumped and touched! Joys of living in a small house lol!
June 20, 2018
Glenda Martin said:
I have done at least two of these tricks myself, but the other ones are very helpful Thank you so much. I love these diamond paintings
June 20, 2018
Sherri Fisher said:
I went to Walmart and bought plastic mini cups with kids like they use in restaurants for salad dressing. Put my diamonds in them and label the tops. Stacks nicely in a storage box
June 20, 2018
Lillian Naylor-Shaver said:
How do I frame the picture that I finish. I don’t want to cut around the edges.
Thank you.
June 20, 2018
Bonnie Laganella said:
What do you use to seal your picture.Without loosing the shine.
June 20, 2018
Terrie Steevens said:
I use a magnifying lamp and a bead storage box found in the jewelry section of my local craft store. I like the ones with a flip top.
June 20, 2018
Susan Richards said:
What is the trick to getting them all turned flat side down? I have no trouble after that, but that takes so long, because they’re so tiny, that I loose interest.
June 20, 2018
Terrie Steevens said:
I use a magnifying lamp and a bead storage box found in the jewelry section of my local craft store. I like the ones with a flip top.
June 20, 2018
Judith trivett said:
I have done three of these and I love doing this I do a lot of crafts but this is really awesome the only problem I’ve had so far is sometimes even after the rolling pin the tiles come loose are pops out because they’re like curved and they’re not laying flat on the glue on the canvas so I was wondering is there something you can spray or paint over it so it still looks like diamonds but it will seal all the tiles in tightly thank you I would appreciate anybody that can help me with this
June 20, 2018
Stephanie said:
I noticed the gems that are square ( not sure if this is the same for the round kind) don’t like to flip face up in less you tap the tray. So using the multiple pick up method just doesn’t work for me however I use the multi end for lining up or straightening my already adhered gems since not always can I get every corner perfectly. Also a little of the tacky wax goes a long way and very little over the tip picks up best. I also picked up a 28 compartment organizer on amazon for 4$ probley similar to the ones being sold on this website just in case you’re looking for a bargain or if they are ever out of stock on the website. The pill container like compartments come out in rows of 4 and the entire container can easily be labeled with tiny price stickers so when you’re done you can simply peel off the sticker and it’s ready to go for you’re next painting.
June 20, 2018
Bonnie laganella said:
Do you have to seal it when you are finish?What about the sticky around the picture when finished?Will that pick up dirt?Do you put under glass in a frame?I order 3 can’t wait too get them. It takes too long.
June 20, 2018
Jaye MacPherson said:
I’m working on my second one now. While doing the first one you come up with ideas to make it easier along the way. I have small round containers used for jewelry designers that hold there gems. When I learned that the numbers are the same colors for each kit, only the symbol changes, I have labeled my containers with the number. I can combine any diamonds left over from kit to kit. Just match the color with symbol for each kit.
June 20, 2018
sue ledford said:
how do you find out the drill area before buying i bought 2 snowmen and it was done in an hour all there was to do were the snowman
June 20, 2018
Denise jenkins said:
I buy the little plastic containers that come with lids that you can purchase in the party aisle at any retailer. They come 25 in a pack for $1.00 or so. Perfect to hold diamonds!
June 20, 2018
Evelyn Sanchez said:
I am having trouble picking up beads with the stylus, any suggestions? I’ve wiped it but still doesn’t work.
June 20, 2018
Margie said:
Thanks for all the tips, I am worrking on my first one, was hard getting starting, but looking good now. Tip 6 and 7 are great.
June 20, 2018
Carolyn Bramblett said:
Is there a faster way to do this?
June 20, 2018