Article Summary
- The Problem: Cheap Paint by Numbers kits often have see-through paint, rough canvases, and brittle binders.
- The Test: We conducted a scientific, macro-photography audit comparing budget kits to PaintOnNumbers.ca premium kits.
- The Results: Premium kits showed superior pigment density (opacity), smooth triple-primed linen canvases, and durable, flexible binders.
- The Verdict: Investing in quality materials is essential for a frustration-free experience and a lasting masterpiece.
If you search for "Paint by Numbers" online, you'll find kits ranging from $15 to $60+. It's tempting to grab the cheapest option. After all, it's just paint and canvas, right?
Wrong.
As a Canadian company passionate about this hobby, we got tired of seeing beginners get discouraged by low-quality, frustrating kits. We decided to prove the difference, not with marketing hype, but with science.
We bought popular "budget" kits and put them under a macro lens against our own premium kits. The results of this quality audit were more shocking than we expected. Below is the undeniable visual evidence.
The first impression sets the stage for your entire project.
Test 1: The Pigment Load & Opacity Test
The most common complaint with cheap kits is "see-through" paint. You paint a light color like yellow or white, and the black number on the canvas stares right back at you. This happens because budget manufacturers save money by using less pigment load and fewer opacifiers.
To test this, we applied a single coat of a light color over a thick black marker line. The result is night and day.
Left: Cheap Paint (Translucent) | Right: Premium Paint (Opaque)
The Science: Why It Matters
Cheap paints are mostly filler and water. Our premium acrylics have a high pigment density. This means you only need one coat to cover the numbers, saving you hours of frustration and ensuring your final piece looks vibrant, not washed out.
Test 2: The Canvas Weave & Primer Test
Your canvas is the foundation of your art. A cheap canvas is like painting on a burlap sack; it soaks up the paint, making it impossible to get smooth lines. A premium canvas is triple-primed with gesso, creating a smooth, non-porous surface that lets the paint glide.
We put both canvases under an extreme macro lens to see the microscopic difference.
Left: Budget Canvas (Rough) | Right: Premium Canvas (Smooth)
Test 3: The Binder Quality Test (Longevity)
What happens to your painting a year from now? Acrylic paint is held together by a binder. Cheap binders are brittle and crack over time, especially in dry Canadian winters. Premium binders form a flexible, durable plastic film that lasts for decades.
We dried swatches of both paints to see how they hold up.
Left: Cheap Binder (Cracked) | Right: Premium Binder (Flexible)
Conclusion: You Get What You Pay For
A Paint by Numbers project is an investment of your time. Don't spend 20 hours working on a kit that will end up cracked, faded, or frustrating to paint. The science is clear: premium materials make for a better experience and a masterpiece you'll be proud to hang on your wall.
Ready to start a project with materials you can trust? Check out our collection, and don't forget to read our Ultimate Beginner's Guide for tips on getting the best results.
Experience the Premium Difference
Browse our curated collection of high-quality kits, featuring high-opacity paints and triple-primed linen canvases. Ship from Canada.
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