Photo: Alexandru-Bogdan Ghita
Most people order their first paint-by-numbers kit with a rough idea of what they’ll get, and then the box arrives, and they’re not quite sure what half the items are for. That moment of confusion is completely normal. Unboxing a paint-by-numbers kit is actually one of the more enjoyable aspects of the experience, especially once you understand what each piece does.
This guide walks you through exactly what’s in the box, how to check that everything is correct, and what to do before you pick up your first brush. Here’s the breakdown.
The Canvas: Your Painted Surface
You’ll notice the canvas feels slightly textured; that texture is intentional because it helps the paint grip the surface evenly and prevents streaks. If your canvas arrives rolled, lay it flat on a table for several hours before you start. Place a few books on the edges to help it relax. Minor creases at first won’t matter much; they typically disappear once you apply paint and the canvas dries. Before diving in, spend a moment studying the numbered sections. This gives you a mental map of the painting and makes the whole process feel less overwhelming from the very beginning.
The Paint Pots: Small Jars, Big Impact
The paint pots are small plastic jars, each labeled with a number that matches the sections on your canvas. Most standard kits include between 20 and 40 paint pots, depending on the design’s intricacy. The paints themselves are water-based acrylics, which means they dry relatively fast, clean up easily with water, and are safe to use at home without special ventilation.
Each pot gets sealed with a lid to prevent drying during shipping. Before you open any of them, give each jar a gentle shake to make sure the paint hasn’t settled or separated inside. If you open a pot and the paint looks thick or slightly dried on top, add one or two drops of water and stir with a toothpick until the consistency becomes smooth and workable again. These paints are designed to be opaque, so even dark canvas sections will be fully covered after one or two coats. Keep the lids on tightly any time you’re not actively using a particular color; this prevents evaporation between painting sessions.
The Brushes: What You Get and How to Use Them
Most paint by numbers kits include a small set of brushes, typically two or three, with different tip sizes. A fine-tipped brush works well for small, detailed sections where precision matters. A slightly wider brush lets you fill larger blocks of color quickly without constantly reloading paint.
The brushes that come with standard kits are functional. They’re not always professional grade, but they get the job done, especially for beginners, and you’ll likely be happy with the results if you use them correctly. Rinse each brush thoroughly between colors and dry the bristles gently on a paper towel before dipping into the next pot.
The Reference Sheet: Your Color Guide
Every paint by numbers kit comes with a reference sheet or color guide, and this small piece of paper is far more useful than it looks at first glance. The reference sheet shows the complete list of numbered paint pots alongside a small color swatch for each one; it acts as your decoder when the number printed on the canvas is difficult to read because the section is tiny.
And some kits include a miniature printed version of the finished painting on the reference sheet as well. This genuinely helps because it gives you a visual target to aim for as the project progresses. When a section of your canvas starts looking confusing or patchy, hold it up next to the finished image on the reference sheet and compare what you see. You’ll quickly spot which areas still need more coverage.
Keep the reference sheet flat and accessible throughout your painting sessions rather than folding it and tucking it away; creases and smudges on the reference sheet can make the numbered swatches harder to read, especially for colors that look similar to each other in the pot but are clearly distinct in the finished painting.
Photo: Müberra
Optional Extras That May Be in the Box
Depending on where you order from and the tier of kit you purchase, your box may include a few additional items beyond the main four. A wooden frame or stretcher bars sometimes come with higher-end kits, and they let you mount the finished canvas for display without needing to purchase a separate frame. Some kits also include a hanging hook already attached.
Other common extras:
– Numbered sticker dots or a magnifying lens to help identify tiny sections on the canvas
– A sponge brush or blending tool for softer gradient effects
– A small instruction booklet with tips on tackling different types of sections
Not every kit includes all of these, and honestly, that’s fine. The basic items, canvas, paint pots, brushes, and reference sheet, are all you need to complete your painting. Anything else is just there to make the process a bit smoother, or the display result more polished once you’re done.
