Q&A for How to Diamond Paint

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  • Question
    How do I get creases out of canvas?
    Community Answer
    I have found that the easiest to remove creases is to pull back the cover and then reapply it. If it's a large painting, have someone help you smooth it out, and the wrinkles should disappear.
  • Question
    How can I get diamonds apart if they are stuck together?
    Community Answer
    Rub the crystals and the tray with a dryer sheet. It helps with static cling.
  • Question
    Does the flat side go up or down on the canvas when diamond painting?
    Community Answer
    The flat side goes down. If you put the drill flat side up, use the tweezers to remove it and turn it over.
  • Question
    I have a small square for wax. Do I need to heat this up?
    Community Answer
    No, just press the pen on to the wax and it will stick inside the nib, this will then pick up the diamonds.
  • Question
    I received one of my paintings yesterday, but one section is not sticky and will not hold my diamonds, they just fall off. Is there something I can do to fix this problem?
    Nycci Horrick
    Community Answer
    You could try a fabric/canvas adhesive spray, or a type of brush-on glue if you work fast. If you need the adhesive to dry slower, perhaps dip each diamond in a little glue before placing it on the canvas.
  • Question
    Where can I buy the kit?
    Community Answer
    You can buy them on Amazon or check at a local craft store like Michael's or Hobby Lobby.
  • Question
    Is there something I can spray the paint with after it's finished to keep the beads from falling off?
    Community Answer
    You can use Modge Podge to cover the "painting." That should seal it and give it a nice shine.
  • Question
    Where can I buy some if I live in Australia?
    Community Answer
    You can buy it online at various retailers.
  • Question
    Do I need to put diamonds on if I'm diamond painting?
    Nycci Horrick
    Community Answer
    No, but there is nothing wrong with wearing your diamonds if they make you feel fancy!
  • Question
    If I use Mod Podge, will it dampen the sparkle of the painting?
    Community Answer
    Yes, it might slightly dampen the sparkle of the painting, but you can compensate for this by adding a little glitter before the Mod Podge has fully dried.
  • Question
    What is the difference between 3D and 5D?
    Averil White
    Community Answer
    It has to do with the number of facets on the drill. 3D drills have 3 facets on each side, 9 total. 5D have 5 facets on each side, 15 total. The more facets, the more ‘sparkle’ there is on the gem.
  • Question
    What is the size for a finished project?
    Abhishek Choudhary
    Community Answer
    This all depends on the Product you purchased. Some product have a full canvas painting and some of them have around ~ 2-3 cm space on side for color coding. For an example, if you bought a 20x20 Cm Painting your final painting size will be around 18x18cm.
  • Question
    How do I buy extra crystals for this?
    Community Answer
    There are a number of diamond painting websites that sell bags of diamonds/crystals by color for a good price. The color number is generally the same as DMC thread colors, so there are A LOT of colors. Make sure you know what the color number is before you order.
  • Question
    How can I get rid of the white part of the canvas surrounding the sticky part? Can I just cut this off?
    Community Answer
    It really depends on what you'll be doing with it. You'll need the sides if you're going to frame it or glass it up.
  • Question
    What is the difference between a full drill and a non-full drill?
    Nycci Horrick
    Community Answer
    Full drill is when the whole image is diamonds, top to bottom and side to side. Partial drill means that only a portion of the image is covered with the diamonds to highlight that part of the image.
  • Question
    How can I separate the diamonds that stick together flat side to flat side?
    Community Answer
    Use your fingers to just fiddle about with it, or ask someone with long nails to remove them, it should just separate fairly easily.
  • Question
    What do I do if I have a small wax heart and the tool doesn't pick up any wax? I have rubbed, pushed down, etc, but I can't get any wax on the tool.
    Community Answer
    You could buy a new bit of wax or make sure that the plastic cover is off of the wax and push hard so that the wax goes straight into the nib.
  • Question
    What is this paper made out of?
    Community Answer
    The paper is just a thin piece of canvas.
  • Question
    I see there is a tool I can use to make diamonds straight when diamond painting?
    Community Answer
    I have heard some people just use a credit card to keep drills straight. You can hold it along a placement line, or just use it to push them straight after you have done a section. The glue stays sticky a long time.
  • Question
    I just started my first one. I have used a lot of wax for the first few diamonds I put on. Will I need to get more wax?
    Michele
    Top Answerer
    Once you put the wax in the nib, use the pen until it won’t pick up any more drills. Then just add a bit more. Some waxes last quite awhile and some seem to lose their ability to pick up rather quickly requiring adding or changing the wax in the nib more often. Many diamond painters like the darker red wax as opposed to a lighter red wax that comes with kits.
  • Question
    It says to peel off sections of the plastic covering in sections. I need the plastic covering at the end. Can I use clingfilm or grease proof paper? I am a first timer and I'm a bit intimidated.
    Michele
    Top Answerer
    You can use parchment paper. Do not use wax paper! It’s really hard to remove and can mess up your painting. I don’t use the clear plastic after. I section my painting into workable squares using washi tape and cut out the plastic to work that section. I then use a rubber type burnishing roller to run over the drills to make sure they’re all stuck down completely.
  • Question
    How do I keep the beads from popping up When working on a large canvas what can I use if not sticking?
    Michele
    Top Answerer
    Most pop-ups are a result of trash drills. Those drills that have extra pieces sticking out on a side or may be too large or two small, out of shape or the bottom may be too concave to adhere properly. This almost always only occurs with square drills. Pay attention when you pick them up and be sure to press down so the bottom is completely sticking to the adhesive. If you’re multiplacing you need to be even more diligent in looking for trash drills. They’re pretty easy to notice in your tray. Except for concave bottoms, those can be hard to notice.
  • Question
    Can I purchase "sticky" paper to make my own print?
    Michele
    Top Answerer
    Yes. Check online for a list of places where you can buy blank diamond drill paper. Aliexpress is one place, so is HAED (Heaven and Earth Designs). You can also make your design and send it to one of the companies to have a custom made.
  • Question
    Are colors labeled similarly in all kits? For example, if a kit has blue labeled as #03, will other kits also label their blue as #03? Would make it easier to store leftovers from multiple kits.
    Michele
    Top Answerer
    No. Each company uses their own numbers, however, most will also add a DMC number. Those are the numbers for the DMC floss used in cross stitching and the colors that diamond drills try to match. I store the extras that way. Just remember that different companies may have different dye lots that might not match perfectly. Even the same company may have a different dye lot. Just like with yarn.
  • Question
    I know they make special spatulas to straighten crooked rows of drills, but what else can I use instead?
    Michele
    Top Answerer
    You can try a credit card though you might ruin the edges and it will be harder to push down between the drills. I still recommend that you use a straightener, especially a wide, metal one. They are perfect for getting those diamonds in line.
  • Question
    Is it possible to get a printer-friendly version of these instructions? I did not receive any with my painting.
    Community Answer
    Look on the bottom of the canvas, the instructions are likely to be there, typed in very small print.
  • Question
    Where can I buy a canvas to diamond paint?
    Community Answer
    Ali Express or eBay. Search for "blank diamond painting canvas", then choose what size you want.
  • Question
    Where do I find the diamonds?
    Community Answer
    Ali Express sells them, you just need the DMC number. You can also buy in the UK from Smiths Beads.
  • Question
    Can letters be put on when the diamond painting is finished?
    Lee Wendy
    Community Answer
    If you mean whether you can draw some letters on it, that's possible. The facet of the beads will not reflect the letters' detail, so you need to put the letters on before it is designed. Most sellers could do this for you.
  • Question
    How do I diamond paint on sticky plastic paper?
    Lee Wendy
    Community Answer
    If you mean on a blank sticky, plastic paper for diamond painting, you will need to firstly find the software to design your photo for the canvas size you have. You can use the LEGO pixel design software to do it too. But if you mean a blank, sticky plastic paper not for diamond painting, you will first need to make some squares on it, otherwise your beads will not be placed straightly.
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