15 Adult Paint by Numbers Kits Under £40 Worth Trying in the UK
I've spent a fair few evenings testing paint by numbers kits, and the £40 price bracket is where the hobby really earns its reputation as an affordable, screen-free escape. You get proper canvas quality, decent brush sets and enough colour pots to finish a wall-worthy piece without blowing the budget. Whether you're after a paint by numbers custom portrait of your dog, a delicate paint butterfly scene, or want to branch into diamond paintings UK sellers rate highly, there's a genuinely good option waiting under £40. I've narrowed it down to 15 kits worth your money, starting with what actually makes a kit worth buying in the first place.
What to Look for Before Buying a Paint by Numbers Kit?
Not every kit under £40 is created equal. Here's what I check before recommending anything:
Canvas material Linen holds paint better than thin paper-backed canvas and won't buckle once it dries. Rolled linen canvases are the gold standard at this price point.
Paint coverage and pigment quality Look for numbered acrylic paints in pre-filled pots rather than tiny sachets, which dry out and crack faster.
Design detail vs skill level Beginners should choose fewer, larger-numbered sections; advanced painters get more from intricate florals or paint butterfly-wing patterns with 40+ colour codes.
Personalisation options If you want to paint by numbers a personalised piece from your own photo, check the site clearly states turnaround time and photo requirements before you upload anything.
Extras included brushes (ideally three sizes), a numbered reference sheet, hanging hooks, and sometimes a wooden frame all add real value without pushing the price over £40.
Top 5 Best Paint by Numbers Kits Under £40
1. Custom Photo Paint by Numbers Kit from £24.99
This is the pick for anyone who wants a genuinely one-of-a-kind piece. You upload a photo, a pet, a wedding shot, a holiday sunset and it's converted into a paint by numbers custom canvas complete with rolled linen, coded acrylics and brushes.
Why it's worth it: At under £30 for the smallest canvas size, it's one of the most affordable ways to get a paint by numbers personalized gift that still looks professionally produced.
Pros: Genuinely unique result, great gift option, decent size range up to 60×80cm
Cons: Detail depends heavily on your original photo quality; busier images (large groups) lose definition
2. Butterfly Wings Detail Kit around £27.99–£30.99
A beautifully layered paint butterfly design with 40+ numbered colour sections, aimed at intermediate to advanced painters who want texture and gradient in the wings rather than flat blocks of colour.
Why it's worth it: Butterfly themes sell consistently well because the symmetry makes mistakes easy to spot and fix, and the finished piece genuinely looks gallery-ready.
Pros: Rich colour depth, satisfying symmetry, frames beautifully
Cons: Slower to complete than simpler designs; not ideal for total beginners
3. Classic Landscape or Floral Numbered Canvas £18–£25
The dependable middle-ground pick. Simpler numbered sections, bold colour blocks, and a shorter completion time make this ideal if you're trying out the hobby.
Why it's worth it: It's the cheapest realistic entry point on this list, and quality doesn't feel compromised; the canvas still holds paint well.
Pros: Budget-friendly, quick to finish, great for beginners
Cons: Less visually complex than premium designs; smaller canvas sizes only
4. Diamond Painting Starter Kit £15–£35
If you fancy trying something with a bit more sparkle, UK sellers of diamond paintings offer starter kits using resin "diamonds" pressed onto a sticky, numbered canvas instead of paint.
Why it's worth it: Zero drying time, no brushes to clean, and the shimmer effect makes for a striking finished piece a nice change of pace if you already own a few paint by numbers canvases.
Pros: Mess-free, satisfying tactile process, good for evenings in front of the TV
Cons: Fiddly for people with limited dexterity; small diamonds can be easy to lose
5. Premium Advanced Detail Kit (Portrait or Nature Scene) £30–£39
For painters who've done a few kits already and want more of a challenge, this tier includes finer numbering, up to 50 colours, and a larger canvas (50×60cm or bigger).
Why it's worth it: It sits right at the £40 ceiling but delivers noticeably sharper detail and a more satisfying finished result than the entry-level kits.
Pros: High detail, larger wall-ready size, great gift for experienced painters
Cons: Longer completion time (expect several weeks of evening sessions); not beginner-friendly
Quick Comparison
Best for gifting: Custom Photo Paint by Numbers Kit from £24.99
Best for nature lovers: Butterfly Wings Detail Kit £27.99–£30.99
Best for beginners: Classic Landscape or Floral Canvas £18–£25
Best for something different: Diamond Painting Starter Kit £15–£35
Best for experienced painters: Premium Advanced Detail Kit £30–£39
Practical Tips From Actually Painting These Kits
A few things I've learned the hard way:
Tape down the edges of a rolled canvas and let it lie flat for an hour before you start; otherwise, it'll curl while you're painting.
Work light colours to dark, and always finish one colour across the whole canvas before switching pots it saves a surprising amount of time.
For paint by numbers custom kits, choose a photo shot in good natural light with a plain background. Busy backgrounds get lost in translation.
Store unused paint pots upright with the lids pressed firmly shut; a damp cotton bud on the rim before sealing helps prevent them from drying out between sessions.
With diamond paintings UK kits work in small sections and use the tray tool to sort colours first it genuinely halves the time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best paint by numbers kit under £40 in the UK?
The best value sits with paint by numbers custom photo kits starting around £24.99, offering a personalised result without the premium price tag of larger bespoke commissions. For non-custom options, mid-range floral or landscape canvases around £20–£30 offer the best balance of detail and price.
Are paint by numbers kits actually good quality under £40?
Yes, provided you check for a linen canvas and pre-filled acrylic pots rather than paper canvas and small paint sachets. Most reputable UK sellers keep quality consistent across their £15–£40 range, with the main difference being canvas size and design complexity rather than materials.
How long does a paint by numbers personalized kit take to arrive?
Turnaround for a paint by numbers personalized kit typically ranges from 8–15 days once your photo is approved, since the canvas has to be printed and numbered before it ships. Standard, non-custom kits usually arrive within a few days as they're already in stock.
Is diamond painting easier than painting by numbers?
Diamond painting is generally considered easier for shaky hands or beginners, since there's no brush control involved; you're pressing pre-made resin pieces onto a sticky canvas. Diamond painting UK kits also dry instantly, whereas paint by numbers requires waiting between layers of paint.
Can you frame a paint by numbers canvas once it's finished?
Yes, most finished canvases fit standard photo frame sizes (30×40cm, 40×50cm, 50×60cm), or you can stretch them onto a wooden frame kit, which several UK sellers include for under £40letting the paint fully cure for 24–48 hours before framing prevents smudging.
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