# How it works

> How we turn your photo into a paint by numbers kit: upload and frame your photo, preview the numbered canvas, and paint it with the matched numbered paints in your kit.

Canonical: https://custompaintbynumbers.ca/how-it-works

From photo to painting.

## 1. Upload and frame your photo

On any [kit page](https://custompaintbynumbers.ca/shop/custom-paint-by-numbers-kit), choose a photo from your phone or computer. Pick portrait or landscape, then drag and zoom to frame it. The frame is exactly the shape of your 16×20 in canvas.

## 2. Preview your kit

In a few seconds the page shows two previews: the **finished painting**, and the **numbered canvas** you’ll actually paint. Your photo is simplified into areas of flat colour, and each area gets a number. Tiny details merge into their neighbours so every space is big enough to paint.

## 3. We make your kit

When you order, your framed photo is printed onto canvas as a numbered outline, and the paints are mixed for your picture and numbered to match. Making a kit takes about a week; shipping across Canada takes about 7–12 business days.

## 4. Paint it

- Start with the large areas and the darkest colours, then work towards the small details.
- Paint one number at a time so you don’t open every pot at once.
- Two thin coats cover better than one thick one, especially over the printed numbers.
- Keep the pots closed between sessions so the paint doesn’t dry out.

## Choosing a good photo

- Bright and in focus. Daylight beats a flash.
- Let the subject fill the frame: faces and close-ups keep the most detail.
- Simple backgrounds paint cleaner than busy rooms.
- Bigger originals print sharper; screenshots and old thumbnails can look soft.

## Related

- [Make your kit](https://custompaintbynumbers.ca/shop/custom-paint-by-numbers-kit)
- [FAQ](https://custompaintbynumbers.ca/faq)