![[PWD 101] EXPLAINED: How To Choose Between Round And Square Drill](http://paintwithdiamonds.com/cdn/shop/articles/Square_vs_Round_Drill_1024x1024.jpg?v=1576615372)
If you're new to the wonderful world of Diamond Painting, you're probably a bit overwhelmed. Well, overwhelmed AND super excited to get started!
Well fear not, friend! We're here to hold your hand as you embark on your Paint With Diamonds journey!
In our new PWD 101 series (PWD stands for Paint With Diamonds btw!), we'll walk new diamond painters through everything they need to know about this incredible new stress-relieving hobby.
THIS WEEK: We're going to take a quick look at the difference between square drill and round drill diamond paintings!
DID YOU KNOW: In PWD, the term "diamond" can be used interchangeably with "resin" or "gem."
Square Vs. Round Drill: What's The Difference?
In Paint With Diamonds, a "drill" simply refers to the shape of each individual diamond you'll be applying to your canvas. If it's confusing, just replace the world "drill" in your head with the word "diamonds."
- Square Drill --> Square Diamonds
- Round Drill --> Round Diamonds
In choosing between square and round drill, it's important to know that there are no right answers. As with so many things in life, this is more or less a subjective preference! Your goal should be to choose whichever shape that YOU personally think is most beautiful :).
QUICK SIDE NOTE: "5D DIAMONDS" - Confused about what "5D Diamonds" are? This is essentially a marketing buzzword that refers to the shape of the diamonds. With the resin diamonds featured below, "5D" refers to the shape you see that so beautifully reflects light to make the diamonds sparkle!
Square Drill (aka Square Diamonds)
What People Are Saying
Creates A Fuller, More Complete Looking Painting.
Square drill diamonds look a bit "cleaner" than round drill diamonds. They line up more easily and create a "fuller" mosaic look when enjoyed from a distance.
Square Diamonds Satisfyingly "Snap" Into Place.
Sometimes it's the little things that matter! When you start making progress on a painting and begin filling in gaps, you get a satisfying "snap" and a sense of achievement, as dorky as that sounds!
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Round Drill (aka Round Diamonds)
Easier (And Faster!) To Pick Up And Apply Diamonds.
Round diamonds just seem to stick to the diamond pen better, making the transition seem more seamless.
Finished Painting Feels Less "Complete."
Given the round shape of the diamonds, gaps between diamonds may appear more apparent when you're close up with the painting.
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Final Word - What Do Hardcore PWD Fans Think?
We polled our Paint With Diamonds Support Group audience, and the answer couldn't be clearer. Have a look for yourself!
The overwhelming majority prefers SQUARE over ROUND (383 vs 87!). In fact, almost twice as many of you are indifferent to whether your diamonds are square or round than actually prefer round!
Do you agree with the consensus? Tell us why or why not in the comments down below!
Comments
Karen said:
Finished my first 8 x8 round diamonds and ordered the square. So we will have to wait and see. Knowing me I will most likely enjoy something different about both of them. They are very addictive. I just finished one and I am itching to start a new one. Thank you for answering my question.
August 03, 2018
Lee Smith said:
I just written to you about round and square diamonds, and I don’t know of there is enough diamonds to do all square or all round..Please tell me what to do. The bags had both square and rounds. I don’t want to start with one and find out there is not enough diamonds to finish the project. I would be very upset if that should happen. Please help me
August 03, 2018
Sheri Gilbert said:
The way i have been framing is to build a frame with wood sticks use a staple gun to attach the pictures to the frame and its now a real canvas painting
August 03, 2018
Denise McCool said:
I have used both square and round diamonds. I definitely prefer the square to the round diamond . The square gives you a much better end product that you can proudly give as gifts to friends and family. When I completed the round drill diamond canvas I felt as there we obvious spaces between each diamond . On the other hand, when I used the SQUARE diamond I was much happier with the final product and very pleased to give the SQUARE diamond one as a gift!!!
August 03, 2018
Swartz Sonia said:
I don’t teally care for the round stones.
Picture has spaces in between the stones. The square stones are close together and picture looks complete.
I purchased a couple paintings and was quite disappointed to find the round stones.
August 03, 2018
Debby said:
To frame these I use mats and frames I found online at matboardplus.com. The mats overlap the pictures by about one row of diamonds all around. The clearly explain how to measure everything. Easy order and I have not had any problem with each order. Pricing has worked out to about $35.00 per picture. I love doing these paint with diamonds pictures. I have finished 3 and have 2 more on order. So fun so reaxing.
August 03, 2018
Lynn said:
I would like more information on framing once the painting is complete.Thanks, Lynn
August 03, 2018
Linda DesGroseilliers said:
To answer Martha’s question about framing – most of these canvases are not the same size as standard U.S. frames. If you buy a frame that is larger than the focal image, have a mat cut to the size of the focal image (I usually have it cut so that the mat actually covers a row or two of drills all the way around). For example, your image is 12 × 16 (30 × 40 cm). You could use a standard sized 16 × 20 frame with a standard sized 10 1/2 × 13 1/2 mat opening but it will cover up some of your finished picture OR you could have a mat custom cut to 11 1/2 × 15 1/2 mat opening to fit a 16 × 20 frame. That will give you about 1/4" overlap of the mat over your picture. A custom cut mat is a LOT cheaper than a custom cut frame. I do this all of the time with my artwork. I hope this helps.
August 03, 2018
Linda DesGroseilliers said:
I’ve done several canvases, but only one of them used square drills. While I like the look of it, I’ve had several of the drills pop off and I’ll have to replace them before I frame it. I’ve never had a round drill come off. The square drill kit was not from PWD so I don’t know if the one I ordered from PWD will have the same problem, but the squares are not all the same size. Because of this, sometimes the drill won’t fit in a space that is already fully surrounded by other drills.
August 03, 2018
Jeanne Sargent said:
I’m getting ready to start my first 5D picture. First it didn’t come with any instructions but I found videos that helped. Also I would like to know what it means by full drill. Thanks
August 03, 2018
glenna said:
my daughter showed me this and i have ordered a few kits. i like the square diamonds better than the round. i have also tried the other kits that are cross stitch a lot less diamonds and not thrilled with results. square takes more time but the results are worth the effort.
August 03, 2018
Annette said:
I love square the best, so much easier to keep everything straight and yes I love the click sound, I’m waiting for my square pen to come that should make process faster. However, I don’t mind the time I take on each project just so relaxing and addictive. Have to say my knitting needles and yarn are getting jealous as I can’t put these diamond painting projects down . So addictive and fun!
August 03, 2018
Mary Mader said:
Is there a right side and a wrong side when placing the squares? One side seems to look shinier or is it just my imagination?
August 03, 2018
Laura Roberts said:
I found the square drill difficult to line up, it takes more time and adds stress to working on the project.
August 03, 2018
Martha Angelino said:
could you suggest the best way to frame pictures. I have done several pictures but it is hard to find picture frames with some of the measurements.
June 20, 2018
Joy urquhart said:
I’m doing my first square diamond, have done several round. The square for me is slower to do and l have to take more breaks. There is less of a gap between the square ones. Looking forward to finishing my painting
June 20, 2018
Joy urquhart said:
I’m doing my first square diamond, have done several round. The square for me is slower to do and l have to take more breaks. There is less of a gap between the square ones. Looking forward to finishing my painting
June 20, 2018
Glenda Martin said:
I have done both square and round. I like the square much better
June 20, 2018
Marisa Flemming said:
This is new to me. I came across this and it looked very interesting. I ordered the beach scene with 5 panels. I couldn’t wait to get started. I just finished the third panel and can’t wait to do the other two to finish. I love the process of the square diamonds because they fit perfectly. I have been using the tweezers because I find it works better. I will be ordering another kit soon.
June 20, 2018
Tracey Rhodes said:
I’m on my third kit and absolutely love it. I’ve done both round and square and love them both, my daughter prefers the square. I have anxiety issues and these kits calm me right down. I can’t wait to start my next kit.
June 20, 2018
Dianna C. said:
I have done 1 of each so far. I have 2 more waiting, and 4 larger canvases ordered. I find that I like then both, so far.
June 20, 2018
Lynda Culp said:
I laughed when I read that other people also enjoy the " snap" of the square diamonds. I thought I was a little nuts for enjoying that sound! I have only done 2 diamond paintings so far but I am addicted! I have more to do and more on the way. It reminds me of counted cross stitch, which I also love. My Mom and I sit down together and work on our individual paintings. She is 81 and she’s as hooked as me!!!
June 20, 2018
Denise Marvin said:
Can you please tell me the difference between diamond painting and diamond painting full. I have never tried this and so I dont know what the difference is . Thank you
June 20, 2018
Sheila E said:
To Deanne. What you’re referring to is a partial drill or where only sections are to do and the rest is painted. If you want the entire area to do, then you want a Full drill painting. As for square or round drill, I like the look of a full square drill painting. I am also relatively new to this and I am doing my first full square drill and I’m loving it!
June 20, 2018
Susan Pond said:
I love both. I love the looks of the square when it is finished but so far the round is a lot faster for me and I enjoy doing round better. From far away they are both pretty but close- up the round doesn’t look as finished as the square.
June 20, 2018
virginia ihlenfeld said:
It looks very interesting to say the least. I can’t decide what size. What are prices for the art.
August 03, 2018
Sandra Milliken said:
Much prefer the square ones. Gives a better finish overall. You have to be much more precise with round ones which is time consuming as you have to get them really straight otherwise it looks dreadful. 😄
August 03, 2018
Diane said:
I love the look of the square drills. We have done 2 large (50 × 50 cm) that took 2 weeks for my sister and I to complete each.
We have several more on order.
Very addictive. Love it
April 18, 2018
sherry lynn mufford said:
I love both but square is my favorite for all the above reasons
April 18, 2018
Deanne Meyer said:
I am new to this craft and I am just loving it. I have purchased several but there is only small spots on the canvas that is to have the diamonds placed and the rest is painted. Are there any that have a larger amount. I would love to be able to do a larger project. Some look very big, as big as the back of a couch but when you get them they are the size of a place mat. Do you have any of these that I mention?
Thanks
April 13, 2018
CML said:
I like both. When doing smaller paintings, I find that round works better because it looks much less pixelated, and therefore gives a clearer picture. Once you get to larger sizes, I find it doesn’t matter so much. The click of the squares are definitely satisfying, and the round give a softer look. So they both have benefits and it comes down to preference! I like to have a nice mix of both.
April 06, 2018
GM said:
The look of the square diamonds are much better for the overall look of your picture.
February 10, 2018
Carroll said:
I love the square and have only done that. But I do have a kit coming with round so for me the jury is out! LOL
February 10, 2018
Mary Grist said:
I prefer round..it goes faster. The square are very time consuming but that snap is magical. .I pick a 3×3 square area to start and it takes about two hours to do…
I take a lot of breaks..love it!!!
February 09, 2018
Judy Vlcek said:
I prefer the round. I love these kits they are so relaxing. I’ve done 4 so far, and I have six more waiting! I can hardly wait to finish and go onto my next one. Love love love this new hobby of mine!
February 09, 2018