Are you planning to paint the walls of your home but you’re fixed between satin vs flat paint, and which to use where? Pheww! Indeed, you can’t choose one until you’re not fully aware of the key differences, pros, and cons. Before deciding on one, let us tell you that it’s mainly the finish that makes a difference between these paints.
Yet, this isn’t the only differentiating point, but there are some other variations too. So come with us as we’ll enlighten all these points in this content. By the end of the content, you’ll be able to pick the best one.
Let’s get started!
If you dig into the word satin, you’ll know that this word keeps the meaning of “gloss and luster” in it. Satin finish paint gives a beautiful luster to your walls, making them look velvety. But the point to notice is, what level of luster or sheen the satin paint has?
Okay, the satin paint comes with the lowest level of sheen, making it fall between a semi-glossy and flat finish. So it would be best to say that satin paint is a mid-gloss glossy paint with an effect that depends on the lighting effect in your room.
Flat paint is also known as matte paint, free from any luster and gloss. It’s more in pigment and less or no in luster, so it gives exceptional coverage. So it won’t go wrong to call it concealer paint.
Flat paints (matte paints) are one of the most common yet the most popular paints due to the simplest formula they have. They have three main things in their formula. The first one is color. The second is water; the third is the binding agent and nothing in the fourth place.
Knowing the differences between these two will help you decide which one is better for you. We’ll first enlist these points, and then you’ll get a detailed comparison of both the paints considering those points.
The most noticeable difference between these two paints is the level of sheen. As we discussed earlier, satin has a medium level of sheen; that’s why it gives a mid-gloss finish. Because of satin paint, light bounces off the surface, making it look glossy.
While on the other hand, the flat paint has little to no sheen. Thus it gives your walls and other substrates a matte finishing.
Do you know what makes paint durable? Most of you will think that the thicker the paint, the higher the durability. Yes, it’s right, but many other factors decide the paint’s durability.
The more time a paint takes to dry, the higher its durability. The particles of the satin paint take more time to bind. Thus, they make a tough and strong finish. Furthermore, satin finishes are water-resistant; so you won’t see the paint coming off the walls, even from the washroom and kitchen (both are damp.) That's what makes satin paint more durable.
On the other side, the flat paint has a thin consistency, so its particles take less time to bind. Therefore, the flat finish paint dries quickly and is less durable.
In short, if you don’t want to repaint your walls frequently, you should go with the satin finish paint.
Maintenance is another point that makes a clear difference between both the paints. If you want to know the maintenance, you must know about their ease of cleanliness.
The sheen in satin paint makes it easy to clean. That’s because stains and dirt don’t stick to them. And you can easily wipe off the stains using a soft sponge dipped in a mixture of soap and water. Because of being water-resistant, the satin paint finish won’t lose its sheen and won’t come off.
Meanwhile, Because of the dry and textured finish of the flat paint, stains and dirt particles badly stick to it. Therefore, it’s highly difficult to clean those stains. And if you try to clean, the paint will start coming off the walls.
Thinking about scrubbing to remove the stains? Please don’t dare to use this technique, as this can ruin your paint. So the flat paint is so challenging to clean because of its less durability.
So we suggest you always opt for the satin paint in your kids’ room and the areas you use more.
You can’t say that both paints offer the same coverage. Coverage is another point you must pay attention to when choosing one from satin and flat paint.
It's directly linked to the pigment of the paint. Because the flat paint is more pigmented, a single coat can color your walls much better than satin paint. That's why you can get full coverage in minimal coats.
While on the other side, satin paint comes with more binders, so it’s not that pigmented. A single coat can’t pass that much pigment on your substrate needed for full coverage. Therefore, you might face some coverage issues when using this paint.
Flat paint always wins the show regarding the ease of usage or application of satin vs. flat paint. The reason is that flat paint is thin and blends in well.
And if you use the W method for painting, flat paint won’t leave prominent lines behind. Moreover, you can directly spray the paint without making it thin.
But if we talk about the satin paint, you’ll have to make it thin before spraying. Its thickness makes its application harder.
Most importantly, when you use satin paint, you need to sand each of its layers with sand. After that, you can apply the next layer. And that’s why satin paint has a harder application than flat paint.
Satin paint is more expensive than flat paint. Let's suppose you’re painting your room with three satin paint cans. You’ll have to pay almost $15 more than the amount you pay for three cans of flat paint.
It means each can of satin paint is $5 more expensive than the flat paint if you pick the same brand.
Satin finish paints are both oil-based and water-based. It has a water-resistant formula that prevents the water from penetrating the paint's surface. Thus the paint won’t come off or won’t make patches.
This resistance from moisture is also due to its slightly glossy finish. This gloss works by repelling the water, thus protecting your substrate.
However, you won't find this feature in flat paint. It is water-soluble, so it absorbs the moisture, bubbling and peeling off the paint from your substrate.
So you can easily decide which paint would be a good option for wood. If your ultimate goal is to have moisture-resistant paint on wood that repels water, has high durability, and doesn't come off, go with the satin paint.
If we talk about the uses of satin paint, the first and the most common thing to pop into your mind is to use it on your room walls. Yes, you can use it to paint your walls, but it can also be used in a variety of other ways. Here are the complete details about its uses.
Satin is best for high-traffic areas like your tv lounge and hallways. These places of your house usually have high traffic. Other than this, the walls of your kids' room, kitchen, and bathrooms should have durable satin paint. Its water-resistant properties will prevent the paint from coming off.
Whether a small wooden jewelry box or your room furniture, wooden objects always demand a sheen. Satin paint is best to give that glossy finish to your wooden furniture, desks, tables, and even kitchen cabinets.
Besides the sheen, satin is used on the furniture so that they don’t get affected by water. Its moisture-resistant properties provide this protection.
You can’t skip buying satin paint for your projects if you're a regular DIYer. Satin paint gives them a perfect gloss that makes them more fetching. Plus, it also increases durability, so they won’t even get affected by frequent touches.
So yes, satin paint is best to kick out the dull look by giving a light sheen to your DIY projects.
Do you have any imperfections on your substrates, like walls or ceilings, and want to hide them? You must go with flat paint as its matte finish hides all the blemishes and spots, giving an amazingly smooth finish. Not just this, but flat paint has a lot of other uses. Some of them are as follows.
Most of you don’t want glossy ceilings as the gloss in the paint can highlight any high imperfections. So better to go with flat paint for your ceilings.
We all know that ceilings are not frequently touched; flat paint will last long.
One of the most interesting benefits of flat paint is that you can use it to tint other clear paints. Therefore, you can make your desired color and use it for painting your ornaments and various other items.
You can use flat paint as a primer when you want to hide the underlying darker color and want to go light. It offers a new clear surface to the paint that you’re going to apply to it.
Flat paint acts as a magician in covering all imperfections. The pigmented color and the flat paint's matte finish absorb light and conceal all the bumps and bruises. So if you’ve any wall in this condition, consider painting it with flat paint if you want all the imperfections to become less visible or even invisible.
When choosing one from satin vs flat paint, you must follow the basic rule of thumb that is mentioned below.
This rule says, "the higher the sheen in a paint, the more shine it gives. And the higher the level of shine, the higher durability it will have.”
So you can now decide which paint is more durable and the best pick for you.
Not all the rooms of your home need the same kind of paint. Some need a smooth look, while some need to shine. In the same way, if a room has high traffic, another one might be considered a low-traffic area. So the same finish can’t do justice to all.
Here’s a table showing the requirements for different rooms and the paint they need.
Room |
Requirements of Paint |
Best Paint |
Kitchen |
|
Satin Paint |
Dining Room |
|
Flat Paint |
Bedroom |
|
Flat Paint |
Family Room |
|
Satin Paint |
Bathroom |
|
Satin Paint |
It’s not just the type of paint that can make a difference, but the condition of your walls also does. When deciding the type of paint, you’ve to look at the condition of your substrate.
If you want to paint the living area in your old home, doubtlessly, the walls will have some imperfections. These imperfections may be in the form of marks on the drywall and indentations.
In such cases, you need to put your hands on the flat paint as it will hide all these imperfections, and you’ll get a highly pigmented coat with a matte finish.
New constructions are free from flaws and imperfections, so it’s better to use satin paint. Satin paint gives a nice gloss that causes reflecting of the light showing the perfect smooth texture of the new walls.
Before picking one from satin vs. flat paint, you must know the pros and cons. Firstly, let us spill the beans about the positive and the negative points of satin paint.
Knowing just the pros and cons of satin isn’t enough. You should also check out the positive and negative points of flat paint. Let's now probe into the section on the pros and cons of flat paint.
Do you want to make your satin paint flat or vice versa? Yes, it’s possible. For doing any of these procedures, you should know two key points.
First, to flatten your satin paint, add more pigment. The more the pigment is, the flatter it will be. Second, to satin your flat paint, you need to add more binder it.
Here’s the complete detail for both processes.
You’ll think mixing flat paint with satin paint will give you satin paint. No!
To make satin paint from flat paint, you’ll need to mix semi-gloss paint with flat paint. This way, you’ll get a perfect light sheen in your flat paint, just like the satin paint.
There’s another easy way to make your flat paint glossy and with your required amount of sheen. Just add the required amount of glazing compound or varnish, and ta-da! You’re ready to get a perfect sheen on your projects and walls.
But wait a second. Do you know about the ratio of both? Same ratio? No!
When mixing a varnish in flat paint, you must follow the ratio of 1:10. The former is for varnish, and the latter is for flat paint.
After reading how to make your flat paint satin, you might also want to know the vice versa of it. Is it so?
Making your satin paint flat can be done in different ways. One of the most common ways is to add more pigment to your satin paint. Doing this will reduce the gloss and will make your paint more towards a matte finish.
If you don’t want to use this method, de-glossing is another method. Paint de-glossers are available in different forms.
Some of them are added to the paint before applying. While the others are added to water, this water and de-glosser mixture is applied to the dried paint. In this way, you can transform your satin paint to look flat.
Before mixing flat paint into the satin or satin into the flat, you must match the resins. You can’t mix a latex flat paint with an oil-based satin paint. That won’t work. In the same way, interior paint will work by mixing just with the interior painting and not the exterior painting.
To get the perfect results, you must mix latex flat paint with latex satin or semi-gloss paint. It's the best possible way to get the perfect sheen to your flat paint.
Let us summarize this content by saying that satin vs. flat, the main difference is the sheen or the gloss. Satin is more into a glossy finish, while the flat paint gives you a matte finish. Not just the sheen, durability, maintenance, cost, coverage, and ease of application are other points that make a difference.
Neither of these is best to use in all situations. One offers high durability and moisture resistance, while the other offers coverage and ease of application and conceals imperfections.
So keep all these points and the pros and cons of each in consideration before picking one for your project.
We wish you the best of luck in choosing the right one!
]]>Most beginners consider Mod Podge a cranky thing due to its name. But believe me, if you keep the name aside, there isn’t anything tricky at all.
It’s an all-rounder decoupage medium, a synthetic resin that's made by polymerizing vinyl acetate, originally spelled as “Mod Podge.” It’s a complete set of sealer glues to help you with all types of art and craft projects, no matter how huge they’re.
Need a detailed note on “what is Modge Podge; what are its variations; or how you can use it?” No worries!
We’re here to help all the beginners and even the intermediates with this comprehensive guide on Mod podge, its uses, variants and all the other necessary information.
Don’t you think it’s time to dive into the world of Mod Podge Now? So let’s go!
Whenever you hear the word Mod podge, the first thing that should knock your mind is “all-in-one glue” that you can apply using Mod Podge tools. Yes, it’s glue, but its meaning doesn’t end here.
Beyond glue, it’s a clear acrylic sealer and a finisher for your arts and crafts projects. It won’t go wrong if we say it’s the backbone of all the decoupage arts. Want to know how it performs all these three functions? Why not?
When it comes to sealing any art work, Mod Podge isn’t just restricted to work on plastic, paper, fabric, terra cotta, glass, ceramic and wood surfaces. But it can also magically seal painted wood, and do embellishments for other things. Once you try it, its sealing properties will surely amaze you.
The second inspiring job of the Mod Podge is to act as glue. You can use it to glue various things on your craft projects, like flowers, beads, ribbons, papers, cards, clothes, and much more.
Mod Podge can let you say goodbye to the rough surfaces of any projects or designs. Apply a layer of this finisher with side-to-side brush strokes.
Allow it to dry, and you’ll get the best-finished surface that will give a smooth look. So yeah, it's also the best finisher, not just glue and a water base sealer.
Does Mod Podge Have Its Variants? Yes!You’ll find Mod Podge in a variety of finishes. The main three of them are: m
All three have the same usage; the only thing that makes a difference is the finish.
Apart from these, it has other variants, including the dishwasher safe and the one.
Wait for a second; how can we forget to discuss the Mod Podge ultra? The ultra version of sealant glue is available in the form of a spray.
Gloss, matte, and satin all fall in the category of classic Mod Podge project formulas. You’ll see their formula overlapping in some other variants. These variants, along with their formula, are discussed below.
Mod Podge Gloss Luster Luster is a water-based sealer and is the most famous among all other glues from the Mod Podge family. Whether it's about sealing puzzles, protecting dry flowers or diamond dot painting for indoor storage, the glue does a wonderful job.
It gives an awesome mirror-like finish to your projects. If you’re new to trying Modge Podge, you can start with it!
The dishwasher-safe Mod Podge gives a gloss finish. You can use it for the things that need to be washed with a dishwasher and frequently come under water, just like the decoupaged wine glasses, mugs, plates, or anything else.
But make sure not to coat your items with Mod Podgeat the part that comes in contact with your mouth or food.
With Mod Podge Antique Matte you can get a lasting finish for your handmade projects without investing much in overpriced finishers. Even a single coat of this variant can leave an artistic look by providing a highly textured finish.
Did this ever happen to you that your glued images, cards and papers become yellow after some time? That's where the decoupage tissue paper projects make a difference from the regular one.
If you make more advanced paper projects and want an extension in the life of your project, paper Mod hPodge Is what you need to have. You’ll find it with a gloss and matte finish.
Mod Podge Outdoor is best for projects that are to be kept outside. It has its key feature of protecting your projects from moisture. So it is better to use this medium for sealing your projects.
Do you feel your crafty projects are incomplete without a sparkling finish? No worries, you can opt for the sparkle Mod Podgethat has glitz in a gloss base. This glitz is due to minute hologram glitter pieces. Even a single coat can give a rainbow effect and an eye-catching shine.
Want to come out of brush strokes while decoupaging? You should give Mod Podgeultra a try that's available in spray form. The things that give it the title of "ultra" include its easy spray application, high durability, and high versatility. And yes, it’s non-tacky as well.
After working so hard on your kids’ decoupage project, do you want to enhance its beauty with a glowing effect? Yes, it’s possible.
All you need to do is to buy a Mod Podge Glow in the Dark. Give your project a single coat of this medium, place it in a dark place, and you’ll be amazed by the glowing effect it has.
Regular Mod Podge might not be a good fit for the furniture. If you want the best finishing, you must go with a furniture Mod Podgespecially made to decoupage furniture. You can opt for Mod Podge matte, satin or gloss finish according to your choice.
Not everyone is a matte lover. And to be honest, not everything looks good in matte finishing. Sometimes, you badly need a glittery finish to complete a galaxy-themed project. You can opt for the extreme glitter Mod Podgewith ultra fine glitter particles in such cases.
You can use it on any colored surface, but the glittery effect looks unrivaled when used on dark surfaces.
Hard coat Mod Podge on drying gives a super tough coating that provides extra protection to your projects. It’s best for projects that need special sealing.
Its high durability makes it a leading option to use for furniture, including dressers, tables, and other stuff like this.
There’s no doubt that fabric decoupage gives a more classy effect than paper or wood. And if you’re a fashion freak, you surely want to have some cool shirts and jeans decoupaged with your favorite designs.
For this purpose, you’ll need a handy Fabric Mod Podge as it can easily adhere fabric to fabric. The best thing about it is that it keeps your decoupage clothes washable.
Ultra matte chalk Mod Podgecomes with a super flat and smooth formula. You won’t find any Mod Podge giving a smoother effect than this one. Once you run your hand on the project coated with this Mod podge, you’ll get a soft feel along with a luxurious feel to your eyes.
It’s time to kick out the ordinary photo frames and use the technique of transferring images on wooden rounds and squares to make elegant hangings or key rings. You can do this by using a Mod Podge photo transfer medium.
But let us clarify that it gives a white background.
If you’re a regular puzzler, you’ll know that puzzles need special sealing. And you can get that special sealing effect in the puzzle saver Mod podge.
Regular Mod Podgecan also work in this regard, but it might not give as many good results as puzzle savers can. When you coat it on your puzzle, it doesn't just provide a perfect seal but also a fantastic gloss finish.
Mod Podge Gloss with a thick and sparkly finish is best for geode coasters or resin coasters. No! It’s not a decoupage medium but a casting resin used to do various projects.
Getting the authentic look of resin without toxicity has become possible due to this Mod Podge Dimensional magic. You can give epoxy-like finishing to paper crafts, jewels, and other crafts. Clear and glitter, both forms are available in this medium.
Mod Podge Stiffy isn’t any decoupage medium. But it is used to stiffen different things, especially fabric, to get your desired 3D shape.
You don’t need to glue or seal anything with it. Instead, you have to dip the fabric in Mod Podgestiffy. And as a result, it gets its perfect 3D shape. Isn’t it amazing?
Apart from all the above-discussed Mod Podge glue sealer and finish formulas, there are some others to be discussed here. Although some of them don’t perform the function of glue, you can use them to get an exceptional finish on your crafts.
These include:
It’s not used in glueing any material on your projects. Instead, you can use it as a topcoat to turn your decoupage project into a chalkboard. You’ll get it in a clear and matte finish.
Mod Podge Crackle Medium can help you get the best crackle effect on your project. But make sure to cover the Mod Podgewith the contrasting paint so that it gives the best finish.
Regular Mod Podge sheer colors have no difference except they are tinted. But unfortunately, they are discontinued.
Mod Podge Super Thick Gloss comes with a shiny and clear finish. It isn’t for glueing purposes, but it works in giving a super smooth texture just like epoxy to your projects.
When done knowing about the variants, the next question that might pop into your mind will be, “what are the uses or what to do with it?” Is it so?
Yay! We guessed it right.
So let us spill the beans about its usage now.
But before this, let us clarify that different things demand a different Mod Podge method. So we’re discussing its usage method separately for different things.
You can do decoupaging on glass by using things like tissues, stickers, ribbons, cards, and even fabric. But to make it a child’s play, you need to know some basic steps.
Let’s first move towards these steps. After that, we’ll discuss some fantastic ideas to make eye-catching decoupage projects using mod podge.
First, prepare your glass by making it free from dust and any oil. For this, clean it using soap and water. If not, you can also use cotton balls dipped in rubbing alcohol. It’ll leave the surface shiny and clean. Now keep it aside for drying.
If you want to have a more smooth look, paint the glass surface with some subtle coloured paint. Doing this will also enhance the glued material on it. If not, you can also skip this step.
In the next step, cut the material into the required shape and size you want to use on glass. It can include fabric, ribbons, and anything you want to use.
Apply Mod Podge to the cut material, glue all the pieces on the glass, and let them dry.
In the final step, seal your material by giving a top coat of Mod Podge on the glass surface. Doing this will give a final finishing look that will feel smooth both to your hands and eyes.
Do you have endless love for DIY projects? How about making a glitter wine glass using Mod Podgeto use as a piece of attraction in your room or to serve vodka at your parties? Here’s the detailed process for this.
You need the following things to make a glitter wine glass with Mod podge.
Before starting making the glitter wine glass, take a computer paper and place it in front of you on the counter. Doing this won’t spread glitter everywhere.
Now take Mod Podgein a small cup and start spreading it on the glass jar using a sponge brush. Make sure to cover all the sides evenly.
In order to take access to all the edges, take a PVC pipe and insert it in a balloon so that it acts as a stand inside the jar. If not, you can also wrap thick foam around the PVC pipe; it will work the same.
Now make a second coat of Mod Podgecovering even the bottom of the glass. After this, hold the glass by keeping it above the computer paper.
Sprinkle the glitter on the glass so that no part of the glass is left without it. Set it aside for about 15 to 20 minutes so that it becomes completely dry. Ta-dah! You’ve successfully made a wine glass using Mod Podgeand glitter.
Mod Podge and woodwork are best when used together. You can use it in different ways to do wooden Mod Podge projects. One of the simplest methods is discussed below.
In the first step, clean the wood surface and remove all the dust. And if you can smoothen the surface, it would be a plus point.
Now paint the wooden surface using acrylic paint. Light-coloured paint will look good in case you want your attached material to look clear.
Cut the material available into your required shape according to the size of the wooden surface. Material can include anything like cards, paper, ribbons, fabric, or even paintings.
In the next step, coat Mod Podge both on the wooden surface and at the back side of the material. Attach the Mod Podgecoated material on wood and let it dry for about 30 minutes.
Finally, don’t forget to seal your attached material with the last coat of mod podge. You can do two to three coats or as per your requirements.
Do you want to have something charming to give to your close buddies? How about making a wooden frame with their picture attached to the wood rounds? Yes, it’s a great idea. Not just as a gift, but you can also display it in your room.
Here’s what you need to have.
Before moving towards anything else, print the photo on paper through a laser printer. Cut the picture into your required size, depending on the size of the wooden rounds.
Dip a brush in your Mod Podge jar and spread it on the front side of the photo. And glue it on the wood with the front side down. Let it aside for 24 hours.
Now take a wet towel and tap it on the photo to make it wet. After this, rub off the top coat of the paper using your fingers. Keep wetting the wood round and rubbing until all the paper is removed.
In the last step, add another coat of Mod Podge to seal the photo and to give it a smooth finishing.
Don’t forget to let it dry for 15 to 20 minutes.
Not just on the wood, but Mod Podge also works to glue fabric to different objects. Like you can glue a funky fabric in a wooden frame, or you can also shift any painting from paper to the back of your t-shirt. In this way, you can make your favorite designs on your apparel.
Even the Mod Podgecan work to glue fabric to furniture. But for this, you need to know some basic steps. These are as follows.
Take a piece of fabric and wash it to ensure it’s clean.
When the fabric is dry, iron it and remove all the wrinkles.
Now cut the fabric as per your requirements and give a heavy coat of Mod Podgeto its back side.
Glue the fabric on your clothing or furniture, whatever you want to decoupage.
In the final step, add the last sealing coat of Mod Podgeon the entire surface of the project. And let it dry. Your decoupaged piece of cloth or furniture is ready to flaunt.
Wearing your own designed jeans has become as easy as pie now. But all this has become possible due to the magical decoupage medium- Mod podge. If you also want to design your jeans and give off a gorgeous look, follow the below-mentioned steps.
Before heading towards the process, let us tell you that the fabric must not be too hard or too soft. It should be in between both the textures.
Take the first step by coating the backside of the fabric with a Mod podge. Let it dry by placing it aside.
No! You don't need to spread the Mod Podgeon jeans.
When the fabric is fully dry, cut it in your desired shape and again give it a single coat of Mod podge. Glue it on your jeans. You can also make paint stitches on the boundaries to make it look like a stitched sticker. Use complementary coloured fabric to make it more eye-catching.
Yay! You succeeded in making your own designed jeans.
Do you want to know what makes the Mod Podgestand high among a variety of other similar products? Or do you want to know why you need to switch to Mod Podge From your previous glue? Here’s a list of the points that make Mod Podgesecond to none.
As Mod Podge Has sealing properties, some peeps think it’s waterproof. Let us bring you out of this confusion by saying "no" Mod Podge Isn't waterproof.
A few drops of water can’t harm your Mod Podge Projects. But keep it in your mind that a lot of water can do a lot of harm to your Mod -podge crafts.
When Mod Podgecomes in contact with water, you’ll see some clouding on the surface. And this cloud can stay there even when water is removed.
Both the dishwashing safe and Mod Podge are highly water resistant, but you can’t place them in the category of waterproof mediums. Let us tell you that these two variants are best to use for projects that have to be exposed to water. But this doesn’t mean you can place them underwater for an extended period.
After reading the entire article, we hope you can now clearly answer “what is Modge Podge?” It isn’t just a handy decoupage glue but also keeps its sealing and finishing properties. In short, it’s the essential of decoupaging that you can’t ignore at any cost.
Let us summarize by saying that Mod Podge is available in different variants and must be there in your art supplies. In order to get the best results, have a glance at the type of your projects, and then pick the best match of Mod Podge according to it.
Indeed, each of the variants is second to none in its features and, ultimately you’ll love Mod Podge as your all in one glue.
]]>Diamond dotz are resin stones that you stick on a color-coded adhesive canvas that has already been printed with a theme. The final result gives you a sparkly and three-dimensional effect.
The whole process of picking up little shiny diamonds and pasting them on canvas boosts your inner artistic confidence. It's also good for reducing stress and soothing the mind.
You can also call it an updated version of cross-stitch or embroidery with diamonds. In this article, we will go through the basics of diamond dotz and a few tips and tricks to help you get started.
Diamond dotz paintings are a new craft where you paint with the diamonds, not the real ones though. In this craft, you apply small, shiny resin stones on a color-coded adhesive canvas usually made of polyester fabric. The pattern is similar to something between paint by-numbers and cross-stitch.
There are multiple benefits of using diamond dotz.
Here are a few benefits and reasons as to why you should start with the craft of diamond dotz right away after reading this article:
Like needlework crafts, diamond dotz is an excellent hobby to feel calm while having fun.
When you pick one diamond with the pen tool and apply it to the canvas, it creates good hand and mind coordination, developing your motor and cognitive skills.
How?
Picking 2.5-millimeter tiny particles and applying them to the exact place on the canvas creates good hand-eye coordination. This way, your hand muscles keep flexing and become more skillful and adept.
Additionally, you practice meditation indirectly by doing long, monotonous movements which relax your muscles, normalize the heart rate, restore the nervous system, and reduce muscle tension.
Diamond dotz is a type of MBAT, aka mindfulness-based art therapy. After a tough and stressful day, little shiny diamonds like resin help you relieve stress and anxiety.
According to the first-hand experience of diamond dotz fans, the craft can help their mental health in many ways. It reduces fatigue, tinnitus, insomnia, tension headaches and boosts concentration levels.
You can even buy a meditation art theme kit to get the best out of this relaxing hobby.
Kids can have fun and learn about patience and determination through the diamond dotz craft. The resin rhinestones need your full attention and also patience. The best one you can let your kid try is animal painting, such as kitties or birds or teddy bears & unicorns.
Along with patience, they can develop compassion for animals. Diamond dotz can also be tried out as a family hobby. All the members can get together and spend some quality family time.
If you're someone who never tried painting or art because you think you're not good at it, then things are about to change. Diamond painting doesn't require you to be an art expert; it rather helps you stimulate creativity within you.
Your brain engages with the hemisphere, which boosts your artist's confidence, intuition, and imagination. With the immense range of easy to hard theme diamond kits, a nocive in the art can feel like a genius.
Each diamond painting kit that you purchase comes with certain tools whenever you purchase a new diamond dotz kit. The kit includes:
You’ve been intrigued by the new popular craft among art lovers yet are unsure where to start. No worries!
We have got you the answer. These are the few things you need to remember before purchasing your first kit and starting with the diamond painting.
The most important thing is to decide what you want to paint. The diamond art kits have different subjects and themes, such as animals, birds, landscapes, forests, people, etc.
Start the crafting with easier themes, such as flowers, and birds, and avoid buying the nature theme as it can be more complicated given the amount of subject it might contain from trees to the sky to other things.
They’re also not symmetrical, and you might create uneven results as a novice. Start with something easy and doable such as a flower or a kitten.
For starters, a small canvas is your friend. You're trying it out the first time, and no one wants to spend so many hours on their first attempt at a new hobby.
You should take your time and learn things slowly; the smaller the canvas is, the faster you can complete it.
In case you want to spend some quality time, a bigger one can also do the job. With a bigger canvas, the process gets more interesting, and a bigger canvas allows more details to pop up.
Also, the perk of buying a bigger one is you can pull your hand-crafted art in your living room or hallway. The most used canvas by diamond art fans is 40X60 cm (15.5X23.5 in.)
Please remember that if you're getting a diamond art kit for kids, it should be small.
The best thing about diamond dotz art is the multiple choices it gives you. Not only can you choose the painting you enjoy most, but you can also choose the shape of your diamonds.
Diamond Dotz comes in different colors, shapes, and sizes. We have 3D vs. 5D and round vs. square diamond drills to choose from.
As a beginner, you might be perplexed about which one to choose. After reading the comparison, you might be able to decide which one will suit you better.
Most people suggest that you should start with round diamond drills and ones you become expert, then upgrade to square ones.
Is that all It's? Picking the right shape of diamonds has to do with skills and ease of use; that's true, however, there is also an exception to this rule and that's your aesthetic appeal!
You need to choose a diamond shape based on what the finished product looks like. Round diamonds dotz lined up next to each other and left empty spaces on canvas.
It's fine if you're okay with such an uneven finished picture. However, if you can get irked by the fact that there is unused space on the canvas, then It's safe to say you should go with square dotz as they line up next to each other and leave no space!
Square dotz creates fuller, clear, and satisfying results. The square diamond dotz are maybe challenging for a beginner as this art is supposed to be relaxing; using a complicated shape dotz can make you annoyed, so it better start with the round ones.
Apart from normal DMC color used in diamond dotz, a few ranges of color codes that come with diamond art projects are Metallics, Aurora Borealis, Glow-in-the-Dark, and Neon.
They're not as popular as DMC, yet you might find them interesting as they give extra shining effects. Yet, as a beginner you should go for DMC.
As the name suggests, the full diamond dotz is the canvas fully covered with the dotz, meaning you have to apply dotz all over the canvas. As for the partial, the canvas comes partially adhesive and the only place where you have to apply dotz, which are the more centric points in the painting.
The purpose of creating partial drills is to highlight some area or part of the painting and then the rest. For beginners, there is no rule regarding full vs. partial drills; you can choose based on the design.
Painting with forests or sceneries has some focal point, so they usually come in partial drills. While the full rills create a more mosaic look and mostly come with square dotz or beads.
As I mentioned before, diamond painting is one of the easiest and most relaxing crafts you can try. The process is straightforward. Here is a step-by-step process of how to do diamond dotz painting.
Wash your hands and clean the space where you'll put your canvas. Take out your fabric canvas and lay it open on a flat surface.
Take the drill tray out and pour your diamond dotz. The tray has a fridge line, so it'll land on its flat bottom when you give it a little shake. This way, it becomes easier because you have to pick the dotz from the round side, and the flat side will stick onto the canvas.
On the canvas, you can see the color-coded chart on the right side. Follow it and see which number represents which color; choose any number and take out that diamond dotz bag from the kit.
For example, start with the letter repeated throughout the canvas. Let's say it's 'A.' Check the color-coded guide to see which number represents the 'A' color. Pull out that number of drills from your kit.
Pull the film from the wax, and if your kit has a wax caddy, open it up and dip your stylus pen in it. The wax will get embedded into the pen itself.
Tip: You can pick 4 or more diamond dotz at once on the back side of the stylus. The wider the back side is, the more you can pick dotz at one time—this helps when you have an area with lots of the same color. Nonetheless, it's better to stick with the front side of the pen for more accuracy.
Pick the dotz with the pen and place it on the A letter. Make sure you're not using any extra pressure to press the dotz on canvas. The good quality canvas has a good adhesive surface that immediately takes the dotz from the pen—no need to press it or make a mess.
Keep applying the dotz on all the As you find on canvas one by one.
Fact: Interestingly, the DMC code on the canvas matches the cross-stitch thread colors. You can photocopy the canvas along with the symbols and use its pattern for cross-stitching.
That is the same as cross-stitch threads because the number of codes corresponds with the colors of cross-stitch threads.
This way, the canvas will move upward instead of hanging from the table and coming into your lap.
You can work with one color at a time for convenience or multiple; it's totally up to you. Once you're done applying all the diamond dots on the canvas, holla, you'll have a beautiful dazzling piece of art that you can frame and hang in your living room and share the pictures with the diamond dotz club community.
Here are a few tips about diamond dotz painting you need to remember as a beginner.
Keep your wax caddy closed, or keep it covered with the film when you're not working. Similarly, keep the protective cover on the canvas while working or after working so that it doesn't get ruined by dirt or dry out.
Only remove a part of the film or protective cover from where you work. As soon as you complete a part of the canvas, cover it with protective film or roll something over so the design stays safe.
Your diamond painting canvas usually comes rolled up. More people keep it under a book overnight to keep it straight. However, you don't have to do that. This tip will help you straighten your painting in minutes.
Lift the cover or protective film from the adhesive surface and re-stick. There are four corners of the canvas.
Lay the canvas flat on a surface, then pull back the film from one side and re-stick it with light pressure. Repeat the process from all four sides, and that's how you get a flat canvas in minutes.
Keeping diamond dotz in plastic bags, pouring it from the bag into the tray and back to the plastic back is too much. Get a storage box or bead organizer. The storage box will be the game changer for your diamond art journey.
Use washi tapes around the edges of the canvas. The surface gets dirty or fuzzy if you leave it raw or open while working.
While using square dotz, many users complain that they struggle to keep the line straight or even. For this, you can use the checkerboard pattern. Many fans try to trust this way to keep the line straight on the canvas.
According to some fans, the wax that came with the diamond dotz kit mostly dried out after a few uses. So, instead of changing your wax, again and again, get a blue tack. The small lump of blue tack will last you forever.
Sometimes you keep applying dotz on the canvas, yet they won't stick to a certain space. This happens because air bubbles get created in that area, which hinders the dotz from sticking properly to the canvas.
A simple hack for this is to take a stationary blade and give the area where air bubbles are popping up a little slice. Don't cut through your canvas; a little slice will do the trick.
In case you misapply the diamond dotz in the wrong place or out of the symbol, take your pen tool or a tweezer to rearrange it in the right place.
These few tips can help you create visually spectacular diamond paintings.
Note: If you have children at home, you must be extra careful. Make sure the toddlers will not reach the dotz.
Kids from 3 years to above should be given access to do diamond painting under their eyes. The same goes for the pet as well. Toddlers and pets can swallow the diamond dotz, so make your you keep the diamond dotz out of their reach.
The diamond dotz art has become popular for a few years, and everyone seems to enjoy it a lot. With the increasing rate of mental health, you need to detach yourself from the screen and try out this amazing craft to keep your mind healthy while having fun.
Happy Diamond art work!
]]>Diamond dotz are the diamonds-like glass rhinestones you apply to the printed painting following a combo of paint-by-numbers and the cross stitch pattern. On the other hand, Diamond Painting is the finished diamond painting on an adhesive printed canvas.
The canvas is mostly made of fabric with a pattern of small identical squares. The painting has a chart to follow to make the art. Each color is marked with a symbol used for reference to apply diamond dotz.
Apart from painting, you can create various art projects with Diamond dotz. For instance, you can create diamond art on pillow covers, candles, tote bags, and framed pictures.
This not-so-new stunning diamond craft has been popular among kids and adults alike. Unlike other arts, diamond painting is quite easy. To start this new hobby, you don't need to be an art expert. Let's dig deep into what diamond dotz is for and how you can do the diamond painting.
Diamond Dotz are shiny little resin dotz that you apply on a polyester fabric canvas using the stylus pen and wax. The diamond dotz has facet cuts that make them shine, and these dotz comes in 2.5mm in size. Diamond dotz are available in several types that we will look at, but let's first see what the diamond painting is
Just like its name sound, it’s a diamond painting made with diamond dotz. This new buzz-worthy craft is also referred to as diamond embroidery.
Sounds cool?
But for some, putting each diamond on the canvas might look like a lot of work. However, the whole process is fun and worth experiencing once.
The diamond dotz comes with complete kits that you can use to make a diamond painting. Using the chart on the fabric square, you must use a pen tool to place the diamond dots in the right color square.
The kit for diamond painting includes resin diamond dotz, a printed adhesive canvas, plastic carry to hold the diamonds, a pen tool, and wax to apply the diamonds on the canvas.
Almost all brands have the same material in the kit, yet quality varies. Always go for a better quality kit. The canvas is mostly made of 100% polyester fabric with a printed painting.
The fabric is an adhesive canvas on which the artist has to apply the dotz. So, better quality ensures the secure placement of the diamond on the canvas.
There is also a number grid with symbols on the side of the fabric that guide color placing. The canvas comes with a cellophane cover. Moreover, the kit comes with small plastic bags. Labeled plastic bags contain multiple packages of dotz sorted by color and coded for easy use.
Diamond paintings are not only easy but also a fun activity—all you need are these simple steps before buying your first kit.
Step 1: Wash and dry your hands so the canvas doesn't get dirty or wet.
Step 2: Open your canvas on a flat surface and remove the protective cover from the adhesive surface; this surface has a transparent glue poured.
Step 3: Take your first color diamond dotz and place them in the caddy with the kit. Make sure only to take half of them so picking them won't cause trouble.
Step 4:
Note: The chart contains different symbols. Each color of the diamond matches a specific symbol. Canvas show letters and symbols to refer to where you need to use which color of the diamond. Start with one symbol and locate where it correlates with the diamond colors on the chart.
Step 5: Take the stylus and press it into a wax pot. Properly coat the tip of the stylus and closes the wax caddy.
Step 6: Pick the diamond with the help of a stylus from the round side.
Step 7: Now, the fun part begins. Spot the symbol and place the flat side of the diamond dotz onto the adhesive surface.
Keep one color at a time and complete the design, or you can work with multiple colors simultaneously. It's up to you how you find it easy. Another important tip is to only remove the protective film from the small part of the canvas where you're working. Removing it all at once will dry down or come in touch with dirt or skin that will ruin the adhesive surface.
The painting is easy to follow because the chart shows which letter corresponds with which diamond color dotz.
Other than enjoying your piece of art, some of the reasons why diamond dotz and diamond painting are becoming popular among adults are:
Yes, diamond art is the easiest and most fun hobby you or your kiddo can try. There is no age limit when it comes to diamond art. However, keep it out of reach from children under 36 months. Little kids can swallow the dotz, and that will be dangerous.
The time of completing a diamond art depends from person to person. How many hours can they spend on it without getting bored?
You can spend hours and complete it in a day, or you can work in chunks by spending a week completing one painting only. The smaller canvas usually takes 4-5 hours, while the larger kits can take up to 20 hours to complete.
Whether you’re done with the craft or left it middle way, storing the leftover diamond dotz is important. You can use them later if you store them properly.
The easiest way is to buy a lot of plastic bags. The diamond kit companies don't send enough bags to store each color separately, so you have to buy your own.
Divide diamond dotz according to color and put them in the plastic bag; you can mark them with their code number. Once you have little plastic bags full of shiny diamonds ready, put them in a storage box.
Or you buy a bead storage tray, also known as a crafter tray, to store the diamond dotz
The only difference between the 3D and 5D diamonds are the number of facet on each diamond. The 5D diamond Dotz has 5 facets on each side, creating more realistic finish results.
3D diamond Dotz has 3 facets on each side and is most often used by children, and is comparatively a little easier to apply on canvas than 5D. 5D tends to reflect more light and give a better-optimized picture.
The diamond dots comes in two shapes, square and round; when you buy a kit, you need to check if the kit has round diamond dotz or square ones; there is not much difference in using both apart from the fact that round diamonds are easier to use. You don't need to worry about the right orientation of each diamond; while using a round one, they go smooth on canvas but leave some gap in between, revealing the canvas's colors.
On the other hand, square diamonds need a little more effort on the artist's side. You have to make sure each is placed in the right direction.
The finished look will be ruined if you're not careful with the orientation. However, they’re not that difficult if applied edge to edge; they create satisfying results.
There is another type which is called AB diamonds. AB diamond dotz has a special coating that gives off the Northern lights' effect.
There are two types of diamond painting: a full drill and a partial drill diamond painting. You might have guessed from the name that the full drills are the painting canvas; once you complete them, they’re covered with diamonds, leaving no space.
However, partial drill paintings are not fully covered with the diamond when finished. The latter is used to highlight some of the parts of the images more.
As a beginner, you can start with partial drills because it’ll take less time.
How amazing diamond dotz art sounds! We recommend trying it out. While we talk about how this new trending art is helpful for stress relief and has many benefits, plus its fun activity.
The whole process seems a little intimidating for some. However, in reality, it’s really helpful for your mind; the whole poetic process of classifying diamonds, picking them up one by one, and placing them on canvas requires stimulation of the mind and hands. That's why this is a great mental exercise for better cognitive skills.
Diamond Painting is a new art and craft hobby that is very similar to Cross Stitch and Painting By Numbers.
It was created in 2014 and was a better and easier alternative to Cross Stitch.
It uses the same colors as Cross Stich DMC but in this case, its just color resin beads that you must stick to a Painting Canvas following a color code and symbol to form an image.
]]>