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Best Custom Paint By Numbers


A favorite photograph gives a DIY gift a personal starting point. A wedding portrait, a family snapshot, or a picture of a much-loved dog can become a relaxing project for the recipient, or a painting you finish yourself before handing it over.

We compared six custom paint by numbers services on format choices, supplies, prices, and ordering policies. This is a researched editorial comparison, not a hands-on painting test, so our picks rest on each seller's documented options rather than tested likeness or paint quality.

Key Takeaways

  • Best for configurable photo gifts: Paint Me Like, with 96 configurations, portrait or landscape orientation, and photo review before printing.
  • Most palette options: Canvas by Numbers, up to 60 colors across four formats.
  • Largest canvas: Figured'Art, with custom sizes up to 32 by 47 inches.
  • Most itemized supplies: Number Artist, with six brushes, a color card, and a reference sheet.
  • Free US shipping: Winnie's Picks, though custom kits average 3-5 weeks.
  • Plan furthest ahead: Masterpiece By Numbers, with a 6-8-week window.

How we picked these custom paint by numbers services

We reviewed each company's custom-kit page, FAQs, and shipping and return policies on October 28, 2026. We did not order, paint, or time these kits, so specifications below are seller descriptions rather than tested results.

We weighed photo suitability checks, size and orientation choices, framing formats, palette options, and included supplies. A higher color ceiling gives more choice, but it does not guarantee a better likeness.

Prices are one-time default kit prices in USD observed on October 28, 2026. Size, format, and palette selections can change the total, so confirm shipping and tax at checkout.

Start with the photo before the canvas. Clear, well-lit images with the main subject large in the frame convert best, while group shots with many small faces can lose detail.

1. Paint Me Like

Pros

  • Eight canvas sizes, from 12 by 16 to 24 by 32 inches
  • Portrait or landscape orientation to match the photo
  • Framed or unframed, with 24, 36, or 48 colors
  • Photo review before printing

Cons

  • No returns or monetary refunds; quality issues must be reported within 72 hours of delivery
  • The palette tops out at 48 colors

Why we picked it

For a gift built around one specific photograph, Paint Me Like offers the clearest set of choices, with 96 configurations across size, orientation, framing, and palette. A vertical wedding portrait and a wide family snapshot need different layouts, and the explicit portrait-or-landscape option handles that.

The team reviews each photo before printing and flags problems first, which is useful for images with small faces or busy backgrounds. Kits include a stretched or rolled canvas, 24-48 extra-large paint pots, three brushes, and instructions. The product page shows a 4.9/5 rating from 217 customer reviews.

Pricing

The default kit displayed $29.99 USD, down from $42.99. Orders over $60 ship free, and most arrive within 7-14 days of ordering.


2. Canvas by Numbers

Pros

  • Palette ceilings of 24, 36, 48, or 60 colors
  • Four formats: no frame, DIY frame, pre-stretched canvas, or canvas board
  • Eight listed sizes
  • Free emailed photo check and an upload editor

Cons

  • Palette numbers are ceilings; the actual color count depends on the image
  • Detail upgrades add $15, $30, or $45

Why we picked it

Canvas by Numbers suits shoppers who want an up-to-60-color option or a choice of four presentation formats, from canvas board to pre-stretched canvas. The free photo check and upload editor help with cropping and suitability before choosing a detail level.

The product page says each level includes all paints required, so "up to 60" is not a promise of 60 pots. The business holds 4.6/5 on Trustpilot from 1,473 reviews, a company-wide figure rather than a rating for custom kits alone.

Pricing

The default configuration displayed $39.95 USD. Detail surcharges are $15 for up to 36 colors, $30 for 48, and $45 for 60, before shipping and tax.


3. Figured'Art

Pros

  • Custom sizes from 16 by 20 to 32 by 47 inches
  • Designer check of photo suitability
  • Linen canvas, acrylic paints, and four nylon brushes
  • Hanging hardware included

Cons

  • Photos should be at least 1000 by 1000 pixels
  • Typical custom delivery is 1-3 weeks, separate from US-stock estimates

Why we picked it

Figured'Art is the pick for a gift meant to fill more wall space. Its 32-by-47-inch maximum is the largest custom size in this comparison, which suits a family photo or landscape with a spot already chosen.

The designer suitability check helps before committing to a big format. Find the original image file rather than a downloaded copy, and check it against the recommended resolution. The company holds 4.3/5 on Trustpilot from 3,407 reviews.

Pricing

The US custom-kit page displayed a $39.90 USD sale price for the default configuration. Larger sizes and frames cost more, and shipping and tax may apply.


4. Number Artist

Pros

  • Six brushes listed in the custom kit
  • Color card, reference sheet, and guide included
  • Rolled or stretched formats
  • 24, 36, or 48-color options

Cons

  • The custom specification lists a 16 by 20 inch canvas, with no larger size established
  • Custom-specific shipping destinations and timing need confirmation

Why we picked it

Number Artist earns its place with a clearly itemized supplies list: a numbered linen canvas, numbered paints, six brushes, a color card, a reference sheet, and a guide. That makes it easy to tell the recipient what to expect in the box.

The main fit question is whether the 16 by 20 inch size works for the photo and the display space. Confirm shipping eligibility and timing directly before ordering for a dated gift.

Pricing

The default kit displayed a $34.95 USD sale price against a $39.95 regular price. Frame and palette selections change the total, and shipping and tax may apply.


5. Winnie's Picks

Pros

  • Designer review of each picture
  • Rolled canvas, acrylic paints, and four brushes
  • Reference sheet and instructions included
  • Free US shipping under the stated policy

Cons

  • Custom kits are made overseas and average 3-5 weeks to make and deliver
  • A 24-color kit may contain 20-24 pots, and a 36-color kit 32-36

Why we picked it

Winnie's Picks suits a gift maker who wants documented photo guidance and has time to plan. Designer review, a reference sheet, and instructions are all listed on the custom page.

Its FAQ is upfront that pot counts vary with the image, so choose a palette for the photo rather than the label. The company shows 3.0/5 on Trustpilot from just 2 reviews, too small a sample to judge either way.

Pricing

The default kit displayed $42.95 USD. US shipping is free; international shipping is free from $50 USD, otherwise $9.95 USD.


6. Masterpiece By Numbers

Pros

  • Individual paint pots requiring no color mixing
  • 16 by 20 inch linen canvas
  • Brushes included
  • Framed or unframed options

Cons

  • The 6-8-week window is labeled as both shipping and delivery
  • Spare custom paints must be ordered upfront and cannot be supplied later

Why we picked it

Masterpiece By Numbers fits a gift planned well ahead around a standard 16 by 20 inch canvas. Pre-mixed individual pots and a simple framed-or-unframed choice keep the project straightforward.

Decide on spare paint while configuring the kit, since the seller says extras cannot be added after the order. The long planning window is the main reason it sits last.

Pricing

The default kit displayed $54.95 USD, the highest in this comparison. Framing and spare paint add to that, and shipping and tax may apply.



Choosing the right kit for your gift

For a photo gift with the most control over layout, our top pick offers 96 configurations, portrait or landscape orientation, and a photo review before printing. Canvas by Numbers is the runner-up for palette range, and Figured'Art is the choice for a large wall piece.

Before paying, check the photo's suitability, the total for your selected configuration, and the seller's custom-order estimate. If you plan to give a finished painting, leave extra time for your own work. For more ways to make the season personal, browse these holiday present ideas.

FAQ

What makes a good photo for custom paint by numbers?

A clear, high-resolution, well-lit image with the main subject large in the frame. Busy backgrounds and group shots with many small faces tend to lose detail.

How many colors should I choose?

Fewer colors make a simpler, quicker project; more colors add shading and detail but take longer. Pick based on the recipient's patience as much as the photo.

How long do custom kits take to arrive?

It varies widely. Estimates in this comparison range from about 7-14 days to 6-8 weeks, so check the seller's custom-order timing before a gift deadline.

Can I return a custom paint by numbers kit?

Usually not for a refund, since each kit is personalized. Several sellers instead replace damaged or defective kits if you report the issue promptly.