What Type of Paint Custom Paint by Number Kits Use?

When you crack open a custom paint by numbers box and you’ll notice something different from art-class days: tiny, perfectly portioned pots of acrylic paint, each mixed to match the exact tones in your uploaded photo. No guessing the golden tint of a Labrador’s coat or the twilight blush of a honeymoon sunset; the color science is done, so you can focus on the brushstroke bliss. But why do paint by numbers kits prefer acrylic paints?

Reasons Why Paint by Numbers Kits Use Acrylic Paints

1. Speed without Stress – Acrylic polymer binds pigment into a thin film that sets in 10‑30 minutes. You can add highlights in the same evening instead of waiting overnight, keeping the hobby momentum alive.
2. Water Cleanup – A mug of tap water replaces turpentine. Rinse, wipe, switch colors—perfect for kitchen‑table sessions or paint nights with kids.
3. Precision Coverage – Even pale tints designed to match a golden retriever’s fur cover in one coat, so tiny numbered shapes stay crisp and numbers don’t show through.
4. Low Odor & Non‑Toxic – ASTM‑certified formulas skip heavy metals and harsh fumes, making acrylic the clear choice for schools, apartments, and family craft rooms.
5. Color Fidelity for Custom Kits – When your personal photo and its colors get turned into a palette, acrylic’s high‑chroma pigments reproduce subtle sky gradients or pet‑eye reflections with impressive accuracy.
6. Flexible, Long‑Lasting Finish – Once the paint has dried, acrylic resists cracking even if you bend the canvas slightly for framing. Add a quick acrylic gloss gel and colors stay brilliant for decades.

Are Other Types of Paints Used?

In rare cases, a few niche suppliers still offer oil-based kits for old-school richness, but prepare for days-long drying and solvent fumes. Budget children’s sets may swap in chalky tempera that flakes unless sealed. For true-to-photo vibrancy, acrylic remains unrivaled—especially when every pot is mixed just for your image.

The Final Coat

The paint in a custom paint by numbers kit isn’t generic craft store goo; it’s a tailor-made palette engineered to honor your memories with gallery-worthy color. Treat each pot with a bit of care, add a frame and a gloss gel once the last number disappears, and your hand-painted keepsake will stay vivid long after digital files fade into forgotten phone folders.