Diamond painting is a fun and creative hobby for crafters of all ages and skill levels. Fans say they love diamond painting not only because it is a form of artistic expression, but because it’s relaxing and relieves stress – it’s like a feel-good escape without leaving home! When you start to diamond paint, it’s good to know that you’ve got options: will you choose a diamond painting kit, or will you try your hand at Freestyle diamond painting?
This tutorial explains the differences between working one of our all-inclusive diamond painting kits, versus creating an original Freestyle diamond painting project using loose diamond drills without following a charted design.
WHAT IS A DIAMOND PAINTING KIT?
Diamond painting kits are pre-designed projects that come with everything you need to get started. Each kit includes a printed adhesive canvas with a coded design, plus color-sorted diamond drills, tools, wax, and trays. The diamond painting technique to bring the printed canvas to life is foolproof – simply follow the pattern to complete your artwork. While the most common surface included in a diamond painting kit is canvas, Diamond Dotz has kits with other types of printed surfaces. There are drink coaster kits, adhesive-backed sticker kits, bracelet kits, and a wide variety of kids Dotz Box diamond painting kits made of a heavy stock paperboard. Regardless of the surface the chart is printed on, the dotting technique is the same.
WHAT IS FREESTYLE DIAMOND PAINTING?
The Freestyle diamond painting technique allows you to create your own designs without a pre-printed charted surface. Using your own palette of diamond drills and Dotz Stick adhesive, you’ll dot directly onto the surface of your choice. The other tools are the same (diamond painting pen, wax and tray), and the process is essentially the same too (just dip and dot). The key difference is that you’re bringing your own vision to life without a chart. Use Freestyle diamond painting supplies to decorate clothing and shoes, home décor accessories like planters and picture frames, or simply to cover dimensional novelty items with sparkle. Check out these clever Freestyle projects for more inspiration – you can pretty much dazzle anything with Dotz drills!
KEY DIFFERENCES BETWEEN DIAMOND PAINTING KITS AND FREESTYLE PROJECTS
The biggest difference comes down to structure vs. creativity. Diamond painting kits provide a guided experience with a known outcome, while Freestyle projects offer complete artistic freedom (your colors, your surface, your design).
PROS AND CONS OF DIAMOND PAINTING KITS
Pros:
- Beginner-friendly and easy to follow (although large-scale, advanced kits are available too)
- All tools and materials included
- Predictable, polished results
- Wide variety of themes (animals, landscapes, holidays, famous artists)
- Rhythmic dotting process is calming and relieves stress
Cons:
- Limited creative control
- Must follow pre-designed pattern
- Less opportunity for customization
PROS AND CONS OF FREESTYLE DIAMOND PAINTING
Pros:
- Full creative freedom
- Ability to customize drill colors, design patterns, and surfaces
- Great for DIY and mixed-media projects
- Endless project possibilities
- Clever way to use extra diamond painting drills from kits
Cons:
- Requires planning and design skills
- Materials must be purchased separately
- Can be more time-consuming
- Can be challenging for beginners
WHICH OPTIONS IS BEST FOR BEGINNERS?
If you’re just starting out, diamond painting kits are the best choice. They provide structure, clear instructions, and a stress-free way to learn the basic process of diamond painting before experimenting with Freestyle techniques. The Diamond Dotz range of starter/beginner kits is quite extensive – you’re sure to find something you love!
CREATIVE FREEDOM: KITS VS. FREESTYLE DIAMOND PAINTING
Diamond painting kits are ideal if you enjoy relaxing, guided crafting. Freestyle diamond painting is perfect for those who want to explore creativity, experiment with designs, and personalize projects with names/initials or favorite patterns.
TIME COMMITMENT AND DIFFICULTY LEVEL
Time commitment and difficulty level are highly subjective. Although the kit route is generally great for beginners, there are also many advanced diamond painting kits to challenge enthusiasts – they’re large and take time to complete. And while an elaborate Freestyle project might require more planning and precision, there are also many Freestyle projects that are super quick and easy – you may simply be placing a few extra diamond drills onto some boots or a T-shirt. Understanding the process of each technique is the most important thing you can do, as each has a varied skill range – that’s why you’re reading this tutorial after all!
TOOLS AND SUPPLIES NEEDED FOR EACH TECHNIQUE
Diamond Painting Kits Include:
- Pre-printed adhesive canvas (or other charted surface)
- Diamond drills (sorted by color in individual packets)
- Applicator pen
- Wax
- Tray
Supplies Needed to Freestyle Diamond Paint:
- Surface of your choice
- Loose diamond drills
- Dotz Stick adhesive
- Standard diamond painting tools (same as in kits): diamond painting pen, wax, trays
- Storage containers
Tip: remember to save and use the extra diamond painting drills and tools from your kits for Freestyle diamond painting.
WHEN TO CHOOSE A DIAMOND PAINTING KIT
Choose a kit if you:
- Are a beginner
- Want to get lost in the rhythm of this relaxing, low-effort hobby
- Prefer guided projects
- Are creating framed artwork
WHEN TO CHOOSE FREESTYLE DIAMOND PAINTING
Choose Freestyle if you:
- Want full creative control
- Enjoy DIY and crafting projects
- Like experimenting with textures and materials
- Want to customize your designs
- Have extra kit supplies – diamond drills and tools – and want to put them to good use!
CAN YOU COMBINE BOTH? HYBRID DIAMOND PAINTING IDEAS
You can absolutely blend both diamond painting techniques. Here’s how: try diamond painting with a charted design using one of our free downloadable patterns. Think of this process as a third diamond painting technique that bridges both kits and Freestyle: you’re still following a charted pattern to create a sparkling piece of art, but you’re applying that art to the surface of your choice using one of the Diamond Dotz clear or gridded adhesives.
Is your mind being blown? The ideas are truly endless – you can use extra drills from kits to embellish DIY projects like journals, phone cases, and all kinds of home décor. This hybrid method gives you the best of both worlds.
FINAL THOUGHTS: CHOOSING THE BEST DIAMOND PAINTING TECHNIQUE FOR YOU
Both diamond painting kits and Freestyle diamond painting offer rewarding and creative experiences – it all depends on what you’re looking for. If you want a relaxing, ready-to-go project, kits are the perfect choice. If you’re craving creative freedom and customization (and looking to use those extra Dotz drills), Freestyle diamond painting opens up endless possibilities. No matter which path you choose, you’ll enjoy the satisfying process of placing each sparkling drill and watching your creation come to life.
Ready to start your next project? Explore our collection of diamond painting kits or create something off the charts with the Freestyle diamond painting supplies of your choice. Whichever route you take, it's sure to sparkle!