FAQ

Dot painting is an art technique where you fill pre printed circles on a canvas with dual tip markers, dot by dot, until a detailed image appears. No artistic experience is needed.

They are similar in that both use a pre printed guide on the canvas. The difference is in the technique: paint by numbers fills in numbered areas with a paintbrush. Dot painting places individual dots of colour into pre printed circles using a marker. The dot technique produces a unique finish and is generally considered more meditative.

No. Diamond painting uses small plastic resin gems that you press onto an adhesive canvas with a stylus. Dot painting uses markers to draw ink dots onto a pre printed paper or polyester canvas. The process is similar but the materials, finish, and experience are quite different. Dot painting produces a drawn art result. Diamond painting produces a mosaic style gem finish.

Yes, completely. No drawing ability or artistic experience is needed. The pre printed canvas guides every dot placement and every colour choice. If you can see the circle and fill it in, you can do dot painting. Most people complete their first kit without any prior experience.

Our adult kits are suitable for anyone aged 14 and up, though many younger teens enjoy them too. Our dedicated kids kits are designed for ages 7 and up, with larger circles and simpler designs suited to shorter attention spans. Children under 7 can participate with adult supervision.

Every kit includes: a pre printed canvas with pre printed circles, dual tip markers in the colour you choose for your design, with a thick 1.0 mm tip for large circles and a fine 0.5 mm tip for small circles, and a quick start instruction guide. Everything you need to start is in the box. Nothing extra to buy.

Each marker has two tips: a thick 1.0 mm tip for large circles and a fine 0.5 mm tip for small detail circles. The markers are water based, meaning colours are solid and vivid. They are designed specifically for dot painting: consistent ink flow, no bleeding into adjacent circles when used correctly.

We offer kits in several sizes from approximately 20 x 20 cm up to 80 x 120 cm. Smaller sizes are ideal for beginners and as gifts. Larger formats produce a more dramatic finished piece suitable for framing as a statement artwork. Size options are listed on each product page.

Yes, and we strongly recommend it. Completed dot paintings look striking framed. Standard frame sizes such as A4, A3, 30 x 40 cm, and 50 x 70 cm fit our most popular kit sizes. You can pick up frames from most UK home stores or online retailers. You can also chose to have us stretch the canvas over a wooden frame for you. You choose how you want your canvas delivered under each product.

Yes. All markers in Paint By Dots kits are water based, non toxic, and safe for use by children aged 7 and up with normal supervision. The markers are not suitable for very young children who might put them in their mouths.

You upload a photograph during checkout. A member of our team manually reviews and converts the image into a dot painting canvas, adjusting the dot pattern to ensure clarity and detail. The canvas is then produced and shipped to you with the correct markers for your chosen colour. The conversion is done by a real person, not an automated filter.

Portraits of people and pets work exceptionally well. Clear, well lit photos with a defined main subject and good contrast produce the best dot painting results. The photo should be at least 1,500 x 1,500 pixels. Blurry, very dark, or very busy photos with lots of background detail are harder to convert clearly. If you are unsure whether your photo will work, contact us before ordering.

Custom kits take up to 7 working days from order to delivery. This time includes manual review and conversion of your photo, plus production and shipping. Standard ready made kits typically arrive within 3 to 5 working days.

No. Every custom photo is reviewed and converted manually by a member of our team. We check that the image translates well into a dot painting, adjust detail levels, and ensure the final canvas will produce a satisfying result. We will contact you if there is a problem with your photo before proceeding.

Yes. Black and white or high contrast photos can work beautifully for dot painting, especially when converted to a single colour dot painting, such as black, blue, or gold markers on white canvas. Some of our most striking custom paintings use this approach.

Yes. We ship to all UK addresses including mainland England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

Standard ready made kits are typically delivered within 4 to 7 working days. Custom photo kits take up to 7 working days from order to delivery. We use reliable tracked shipping services and you will receive tracking information by email once your order is dispatched.

Yes. All UK orders qualify for free delivery regardless of order size.

Please check the delivery options available at checkout. Express delivery options may be available for an additional charge if you need your kit urgently.

All prices on dotpainting.co.uk are displayed in British pounds. Prices vary by kit size and design. Our gift range kits start from under £30. Larger premium formats and custom photo kits are priced higher. Current prices are shown on each product page.

Scribble on a piece of scrap paper for five to ten seconds. The ink just needs a moment to flow back to the tip. This is normal, especially when using a new marker for the first time or picking up a marker that has been resting tip side up. The marker is not empty.

Don’t worry, this happens to everyone and it is easy to fix. If the ink is still wet, simply wipe it gently with a slightly damp cotton bud and let it dry before reapplying. From a normal viewing distance, tiny imperfections are not visible, so focus on enjoying the process rather than making it perfect.

Completely normal. Dot painting is designed to be viewed from a normal distance, not examined close up. From three feet away the dots blend into a cohesive, detailed image. The closer you are, the more you see individual dots. Step back frequently as you work to see the image as it is meant to be seen.

No sealing or varnishing is needed. The finished painting can be framed directly behind glass, which provides protection. If you want to display it without glass, a light spray varnish designed for paper or canvas artworks can be applied, but it is not required.

Contact us at the email address on your order confirmation within 30 days of receiving your kit and we will find a solution. Whether that is a replacement, a refund, or something else, we will make it right.

Custom kits are individually produced for each customer and cannot be returned under the standard returns policy, as they are personalised goods. However, if there is a fault with the kit itself or an error on our part, we will replace it. Contact us with photos of the issue.

Photograph the damaged packaging and the contents before opening it fully, then contact us with the photos. We will arrange a replacement as quickly as possible.

Use the contact form on our Contact page or email us directly. We aim to reply within one working day.